The Nicholson War Memorial

“I now leave it in your care and keeping, and in that of the public of Leek, in the earnest hope and faith that it will be cherished and prized for all time “

Sir Arthur Nicholson, 20th August 1925

March past of the Mercian Regiment post Afghanistan deployment

These men who serve, sailors and soldiers brave; who nobly risk their lives to save; the honour of their Country and win peace; to them our gratitude must never cease.

The grandest thing that ever Leek possessed; the names of those, her bravest and her best; in this our “Roll of Honour” we hand down; to be the glory of our Moorland Town.

And those dear lads who will not come again; who nobly fighting – fell among the slain; O’er whose loved names fall many a silent tear; with reverence and with pride we place them here.

Harriet Smith, Leek, 1915

Thankyou for taking the time to stop by the website for the Nicholson War Memorial in Leek, Staffordshire.

If you have information you would like to share about the memorial, those named on it, its history, recollections, images etc, then do please get in touch with us. We would love to hear from you.

This website has been created by the Friends of the Nicholson War Memorial, a group created to champion the memorial and to help obtain Grade 1 listed building status.

The memorial (known locally by Leekensians as “The Monument” or “Sir Arthur’s Wristwatch”) was built by Sir Arthur Nicholson to commemorate the death of his son Basil Lee and the fallen from the First World War. It was unveiled in 1925 four years before Sir Arthur’s death in 1929. It now stands tribute to the fallen of Leek and the surrounding area from both World Wars.

On the site you can find out more about The Memorial and also about The Fallen of Leek. Please browse around our Galleries or take a Virtual Tour.

Thanks for visiting,

The Friends of the Nicholson War Memorial