Bramley War Memorial

Bramley War Memorial is a stone obelisk in Bramley Park, in the west of Leeds, West Yorkshire. It honours local people who lost their lives in conflicts over more than a century, and it is one of the youngest large community memorials in the city.

What is Bramley War Memorial?

Unlike many English towns and villages, Bramley did not have a municipal war memorial after the First World War. That gap was only closed in the twenty-first century. A committee came together in 2011, and the Bramley History Society and the local Field of Remembrance at St Peter's churchyard had earlier helped draw attention to the need for a proper monument. The memorial was unveiled on 4 August 2014, exactly a hundred years after Britain entered the First World War. The ceremony was led by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

Who is remembered here?

The memorial carries the names of people from Bramley, Rodley and Stanningley who died in conflicts between 1900 and 2011. The great majority fell in the First World War, a smaller group in the Second World War, and a handful in later conflicts. The total quoted differs slightly between sources, at somewhere around 750 names, and new names have been added since the unveiling, including some in 2024. Among those commemorated is the only woman on the memorial, who died in the Second World War.

Two names attract particular interest from visitors. One is Fred McNess, the only person from West Leeds to be awarded the Victoria Cross. The other is Robert Haywood Jones, killed in 1916, who was the grandfather of the musician David Bowie.

How was it paid for?

The project was a grassroots effort. It was funded by a roughly two-year local campaign involving volunteers, neighbourhood businesses and council grants, rather than by a single large donor. That community origin explains why the monument still feels closely tied to the district.

Visiting Bramley War Memorial

The memorial stands in Bramley Park, so it is easy to combine a quiet moment of reflection with a walk through the green space. It is a good stop for anyone interested in local history, genealogy or the way communities choose to remember their dead. Visitors often look for the names of relatives or ancestors, and the Friends of Bramley War Memorial and the memorial's own website are useful for researching individual stories.

Frequently asked questions

When was Bramley War Memorial unveiled?

On 4 August 2014, the centenary of Britain's entry into the First World War.

Which areas does it commemorate?

Bramley, Rodley and Stanningley, all in west Leeds.

Which wars does it cover?

Mainly the First and Second World Wars, with a few names from later conflicts, covering deaths from 1900 to 2011.

Is it the same as Leeds War Memorial?

No. Leeds War Memorial is a separate monument in the city centre. Bramley's memorial is a local, community-led one in Bramley Park.

Is there an entry fee?

It stands in a public park, so there is no ticket to buy.