From the late nineteenth century, Leeds Corporation had sought to widen Park Lane to create the boulevard now known as The Headrow.

In 1936 it was decided as part of this scheme to create a garden of rest in front of the municipal buildings on the Headrow of the central library and art gallery.

In January 1937 it was decided to relocate the memorial into the new garden of rest to accommodate new traffic arrangements on City Square.

The garden of rest was officially opened by Lord Mayor of Leeds, Tom Coombs, following which the war memorial was re-dedicated.

Owing to concerns about potential bomb damage during the Leeds Blitz the memorial remained in storage until being replaced in 1946.

The winged victory statue was then relocated to Cottingley Crematorium where it continued to deteriorate to a point beyond repair by which time it was removed in November 1988.