Cross of Sacrifice

The 13th January 2026 is the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice in Nottingham Road Cemetery.  The Cross, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, is erected wherever there are 40 or more Commonwealth War Graves, Nottingham Road Cemetery has over 300. Sir Reginald Blomfield also produced a large number of war memorials, including the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Tenders were received for the construction of a type “A” Cross of Sacrifice made of Stancliffe Stone, from Darley Dale, together with the planting of an enclosing hedge. The lowest tender received was from Messrs Gadsley and Co of 273 Nottingham Road, Derby on the 24th March 1925. 

The work was quickly completed and the Cross was unveiled by the Mayor, Councillor S Collis, and dedicated by the Bishop of Derby, on Wednesday 13th January 1926.

Over the years, remembrance observation at this location diminished, however, in 1993 Alice Johnson of Allenton raised her concerns that there was no Remembrance Day service at “Soldiers’ Corner”. This resulted in the Mayor, Councillor Robin Wood, arranging an informal service on 11th November 1993, where he laid a wreath. Over the years the number of people and organisations have increased to the large numbers attending now.