Tadcaster War Memorial remembers those who gave the supreme sacrifice in 107 WW1 and 32 in WW2. It stands on the site of the old market cross in Westgate in the centre of the town.
The memorial cost £500.00 to build which was raised from public donations, it stands 20 feet in height and around the memorial has octantal die bronze cast panels bearing the names of those fallen, at the top is a Cross shown as the emblem of Christianity which conveyed the message of renunciation.
The Inscription on the Memorial reads.
"In honour of the men of Tadcaster who pave their lives that others might live in freedom. 1914-1919 See it that their names are not forgotten"
Four shafts surround the memorial one depicts a soldier with the spirit inspiration of self-sacrifice, the second a wounded soldier receiving heavenly comfort and consolation, the third a living spirit a fallen warrior rising triumphantly, and the fourth views of a battleship and an aeroplane.
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The memorial was dedicated on Saturday 30th July 1921 by Sir Edward Brooksbank who lost two sons in the war and are remembered on the Heaulagh War Memorial. The service was attended by relatives of those who had fallen and local townspeople, and dignatorys including Samuel Smith, Captain and Mrs Riley-Smith and the vicar of Tadcaster.
Acknowledgment and Thank You to Tadcaster Town Council and Andrew Wade for the above postcards
The service opened with the singing of the National Anthem, and included prayers and the hymns, O valiant thou art," the Recessional, and god our help in ages past." Buglers from the Inniskilling Dragoons York, sounded the Last Post immediately after the unveiling ceremony, and also the Reveille. which was followed by a two minutes silence.
Acknowledgments and Thank You To Tadcaster Historical Society for the above unveiling Cermony Programme
Sir Edward Brooksbank as he unveiled the memorial said,
"it is stood not merely as a remembrance to the fallen men, whose self-sacrifice would always be held in grateful and affect admiration, but also as a reminder of duty to one's country. Those gallant men of tadcaster whom we are thinking have given everything for their country, and their heroic example should encourage others to make a great sacrifice in the noble cause. Kings, princes, and statesmen have paid homage to the wonderful Cenotaph in London, and none passed it without a salute, in the the memory of the departed and in recollection of the call of duty." we should do the same as we pass and remember.
At the conclusion of the service a large number of wreaths, including tributes from Sir Edward and Lady and Miss Brooksbank. the Veterans Assocation the British Legion, Mrs. Riley-Smith, The clerical staff of John Smith's Tadcaster Brewery Company and other private mourners, were placed at the foot of the Cross.
The men are also remembered in the Tadcaster Memothdist Church and Tadcaster St Marys Church