The impact of World War II is still visible across Kirklees, both in the landscape and in the memory of those who served and sacrificed. Local churchyards contain numerous military graves, while the moors above Holmfirth still reveal the wreckage of aircraft that crashed during training or combat operations. 

Communities have commemorated the fallen through dedicated war memorials. In Batley, the War Memorial in the town’s Memorial Gardens lists the names of those lost in both World Wars, including 253 from World War II. These sites serve as enduring reminders of the human cost of the conflict and provide spaces for reflection, remembrance, and local ceremonies honouring those from Kirklees who gave their lives. 

Batley War Memorial