Chester War Memorial

William Beswick, the son of the county architect, was asked to prepare two designs, without a fee: one to stand outside the Town Hall, the other outside the King's School.

[1] Following a public meeting it was agreed that the monument should include a prominent cross, and that it should be sited in the centre of the city.

His design included the figure of Saint Michael under a cross, all under a canopy, to stand in the cathedral grounds.

[1] The committee then decided to hold a competition to design a memorial cross to stand in the cathedral enclosure, and to cost less than £2,000.

In 1921, out of 23 entries, the design of Frederick Crossley and Thomas Rayson was chosen, with that of William Beswick coming second.

[2] The figures on the monument were sculpted by Alec Miller of Chipping Camden, and the contractors were W. Haswell and Sons of Chester.