Malton War Memorial and Screening Wall

Malton War Memorial and Screening Wall stands on Yorkersgate in Malton, a historic market town in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire. It sits close to the junction with Horsemarket, on the road running toward the town centre. Historic England protects it as a Grade II listed structure.

What is this memorial?

A stone cross rises on a tall, tapering shaft with a six-sided section, set on a stepped pedestal. Behind it curves a low wall shaped like half a hexagon, which the listing calls the screening wall. The wall has a coped top, and a carved heraldic lion crouches at each end. Both cross and wall are sandstone, and the wall is rusticated, meaning its joints are deeply cut for a rugged look.

The monument dates to around 1920, part of the wave of local memorials raised after the First World War. The records consulted name no designer, so none is credited here.

What will you see?

Each face of the plinth carries a single virtue: Justice, Mercy, Obedience, Sacrifice, Courage and Patience. Panels on the pedestal bear an anchor, an RAF cipher and a sword, nodding to the navy, the air force and the army.

Portland stone tablets on the wall carry the names. The central First World War panel lists 86 men, according to the Imperial War Museum's register, while a Second World War panel to the right adds 29 more.

How do you get there, and how long do you need?

The memorial lies beside a busy street, a few minutes on foot from Malton's centre and market area. Malton railway station is a short walk away. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to look at the carvings and read the names. There is no admission charge, because it stands in public space. Pair it with a stroll through a town known for its food markets, and with a visit to Old Malton and the Priory Church of St Mary.

When should you visit?

The memorial is open to view all year. Morning or afternoon light brings out the lions and the lettering best. The most meaningful time is Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday nearest 11 November, when residents gather at war memorials across Britain. For quiet reading of the tablets, choose another day.

Frequently asked questions

Is the memorial a protected monument? Yes. Historic England lists the War Memorial and Screening Wall in Malton at Grade II, with the entry dating from 1993.

How many names does it carry? The Imperial War Museum register records 86 names from the First World War and 29 from the Second World War.

Is there an entrance fee? No. It stands beside the street and can be viewed free of charge at any time.

Is it the same as the screen wall near Malton Lodge? No. The historic screen wall by Malton Lodge is a separate and much older structure with its own listing.