It comprises a tall cross 29 feet (8.8 m) high in Whitby stone with a bronze sword on traceried octagonal base and stepped octagonal pedestal with inscribed tablet.
On either side is a tapering flight of steps, at the head of which is a pair of gates. Flanking the steps are walls with moulded coping and square pedestals with square iron lanterns. The inset tablets hold the names of parishes, towns and villages in the city and county.
The gate pillars hold raised tablets with the names of men and women from St Mary’s parish who died in the First World War.
The memorial was restored in 2008 when new inscribed panels were installed.[3]