Leeds Rifles War Memorial

Leeds Rifles War Memorial is a First World War memorial standing outside Leeds Minster on Kirkgate, in the centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it honours the men of the Leeds Rifles who died in the Great War, and it is a Grade II listed structure.

What is the Leeds Rifles War Memorial?

It is a Latin cross of Portland stone, set into the boundary wall of the Minster churchyard. The Leeds Rifles were the local volunteer infantry unit, and the monument was raised by the regiment itself to remember its fallen. Later inscriptions also commemorate soldiers who died in the Second World War, so the memorial has continued to serve as a place of remembrance for the unit.

Why is it special?

Lutyens, one of the most celebrated British architects of the early twentieth century, designed fifteen examples of his so-called War Cross. The Leeds Rifles memorial is the only one of them that was commissioned by a regiment rather than by a town, parish or other body. That detail makes it a rare piece within his wider body of commemorative work, and a good reason for architecture enthusiasts to stop here.

When was it unveiled?

The memorial was unveiled on Remembrance Sunday, 13 November 1921, by Captain G. Sanders VC MC. It was given Grade II listed status on 8 May 1974, which protects it as a building of special historic interest.

What is around it?

The memorial sits beside Leeds Minster, formally the Minster and Parish Church of Saint Peter-at-Leeds. The medieval church was demolished in the 1830s and replaced by a Gothic Revival building designed by Robert Chantrell, consecrated in 1841. The church received the title of Minster in 2012. Inside, plaques connected with the Leeds Rifles and later units, including one placed in 1921 by the Sergeants' Mess, extend the story of remembrance. A short visit to the cross pairs naturally with a look at the church itself.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the memorial? Outside Leeds Minster on Kirkgate, a few minutes from the city centre.

Who designed it? Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Is it free to see? It stands outdoors beside the church, so it can be viewed from the street.

Is it protected? Yes, it has been Grade II listed since 1974.

What makes it different from other Lutyens War Crosses? It is the only one of his fifteen commissioned by a regiment.

Practical tips

Allow a few minutes for the cross itself and more if you plan to step inside the Minster. Visitors often come around Remembrance Sunday, when the memorial takes on special significance, so expect a quieter, more reflective atmosphere at other times of year.