Rowsley, or Great Rowsley, is a village 3 miles south-east of Bakewell amd 5½ miles from Matlock. The Rowsley War memorial is located in the churchyard of St Katherines Church, Church Lane, Rowsley, Derbyshire. It takes the form of a grey stone, wheeled, Celtic cross, heavily decorated on the front face, with the other faces showing a dimple cut; the whole stands on large, inward tapering, plinth which shows partial dedication and names, with a large oblong two stepped base beneath, the top step has the remainder of the dedication; the whole memorial is set on a concrete base. Nine names are listed for World War 1 and three names for World War 2.

Extract from Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - Saturday 19 February 1921, page 5:

WAR MEMORIAL AT ROWSLEY
The Marquis of Granby’s Address.

The unveiling and dedication of the war memorial erected in the churchyard at Rowsley in remembrance of the men from the village who fell in the war, took place on Sunday afternoon. A procession was formed near the railway station, and this included ex-Service men, of whom Lieut. W. A. Lytle had charge; members of the local Lodge of the R.A.O.B., etc. The procession then passed through the village, and on reaching the churchyard the band played “Lead, kindly Light.” The lesson was read by Mr. W. Bacon, after which the names of the fallen were read as follows:— Joseph Barber, John Wm. Boden, Chas. Brookfield, Chas. Fredk. Hyde, Geo. Clifford Pope, Thos. Pugh, Geo. Wm. Skinner, Herbert Wm. Stone, and Herbert Wain. The unveiling ceremony was performed by the Marquis of Granby, and whilst a hymn was being sung floral tributes were placed on the memorial by relatives and friends the fallen soldiers.

The Marquis said:—l had little thought when was at Rowsley at the beginning August, 1914, that one of the first, and certainly the most important and pathetic duties I should be called upon to perform, would be to unveil a memorial to the memory of Rowsley men, who died for their country in the greatest war ever known. But it has happened, and although it is a very sad and solemn moment and one that I shall always remember, I am particularly glad to be here amongst you to day to unveil this monument, and to pay tribute in the best and most fitting way those Rowsley friends and comrades who have through their courage and patriotism, finished their lives on I this earth. They are not the most to be pitied to my way of thinking—as they have achieved their greatest and most glorious action, and are now happy. It is for those they have left behind that we are indeed sad, and for whom we shall always give out our pity and help them to be as happy possible, as I am sure their lost sons and relations would wish them to be Peace has been won by their sacrifice, and it now for every one of us to help to keep that peace which has been gained through them. We must all do our very best for the memory of those men who died. The monument, as you will see, is a copy of the cross of lona, cut in hard Derbyshire Gritstone. The work was carried out by Mr. W. Shimwell, of Youlgreave, while the sculpture on the actual cross has been beautifully done by his son, Mr. Maurice McLean Shimwell, who had completed that portion and was about to commence the work carving the letters at the base, when he suddenly died. I want to thank Mr. Shimwell for myself and on behalf of everyone in Rowsley for his fine work and that of his son, and to tender to him our deep sorrow in his great loss. I must now thank Mr. Bullock, Mr. Cooper, and all the members of the committee for their invaluable work in arranging and carrying out all the details involved in this memorial, and all the subscribers who have helped most generously and thereby made such a fine monument possible.

The dedication ceremony was performed by the Rev. G. G. A. Bullock, Vicar of Rowsley, who also gave an address, in the course of which he said that they did not erect memorials of successful millionaires or profiteers, and they never would. Their fallen soldiers had done their duty in the war, although hating the whole thing, with a hatred that none but those who had been through the trenches could ever feel.

Mr. W. B. Cooper, chairman the Memorial Committee, then formally handed over the monument to the Vicar of Rowsley. It bore the following inscription: "In thankful memory of the men this parish, who, by the Grace God, gave their lives in the war 1914-1919, at the call of their country, for the cause of righteousness and peace throughout the world.”

The monument is 15 feet high, and the work was carried out by Mr. Shimwell, of Youlgreave, at a cost of £120.

The following constituted the committee:- Mr. W. B. Cooper (chairman), Captain J. Milligan (hon, treasurer), Mr. G. A. Walker (hon. sec.), the Rev. G. G. A. Bullock and Messrs. F. W. Whitehead, A. R. Snow, J. Wright, W. Bacon, R. A. Scase, Mrs. Caudwell, and Mrs. Wildgoose.