Located on the junction of Higher Lane and Croes Howell Hill nr Llay.
The memorial commemorates the residents of Croes Howell who were killed or missing in the Great War (First World War).
The cross was erected by Mary Louisa Sykes who lived in Cross Howell House. Her husband was John Thornley Sykes, a magistrate. He died in 1908, leaving his wife and two daughters.
Croes Howell House was an auxiliary military hospital during the First World War, with Mrs Sykes as its commandant. She was made a Member of the British Empire in 1918 in recognition of her work as donor and organiser of the hospital. She died in January 1951, aged 95.
The main war memorial for the area is in the churchyard in Rossett. Two of the men named on it are known to have had specific connections to Burton – see below for their details.
- Crewe, John William, Private 235205. Died 09/10/1917 aged 21. Gloucestershire Regiment. Son of William and Mary Elizabeth Crewe of Burton. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
- Jones, Harry, Private 27369. Died 12/08/1916 aged 21. King’s Liverpool Regiment. Son of Mrs Jane Jones of Poplar Row, Burton. Buried at Exeter High Cemetery.
Transcription:
THIS CROSS IS ERECTED AND THE RUINED CROSS REVERENTLY REPLACED BY MARY L SYKES OF CROES-HOWELL IN EVER-LIVING MEMORY OF OUR MEN WHO DIED FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT 1914-1918 “WHO SO TAKES THIS WORLDS LIFE UPON HIM AND HIS OWN LAYS DOWN, HE, DYING SO, LIVES.” IN UNION WITH THY DIVINE SACRIFICE ACCEPT OURS OH LORD.
Transcription and photographs 17th September 2020
THIS CROSS IS ERECTED AND THE RUINED CROSS REVERENTLY REPLACED BY MARY L SYKES OF CROES-HOWELL IN EVER-LIVING MEMORY OF OUR MEN WHO DIED FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT 1914-1918 “WHO SO TAKES THIS WORLDS LIFE UPON HIM AND HIS OWN LAYS DOWN, HE, DYING SO, LIVES.” IN UNION WITH THY DIVINE SACRIFICE ACCEPT OURS OH LORD.
Description from Imperial War Museum
STONE CROSS ON SQUARE-SET PEDIMENT WHICH BEARS INSCRIPTION IN CARVED LETTERING. THREE-STEPPED BASE. SWORD IN RELIEF ON SHAFT OF CROSS
Inscription
THIS CROSS IS ERECTED AND THE/ RUINED CROSS REVERENTLY REPLACED/ BY MARY L SYKES OF CROES-HOWELL/ IN EVER-LIVING MEMORY OF OUR MEN/ WHO DIED FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT/ 1914-1918/ “WHO SO TAKES THIS WORLDS LIFE UPON HIM/ AND HIS OWN LAYS DOWN,/ HE, DYING SO, LIVES.”/ IN UNION WITH THY DIVINE SACRIFICE/ ACCEPT OURS O LORD.
Sources: photographs by Graham Lloyd; Imperial War Museum; History points.org.
