The War Memorial at the Church of St. Thomas, Somercotes
The War Memorial at Somercotes was erected in 1927 and was unveiled by Lieutenant-Colonel F. E. Seely. The memorial itself is made of a plain white limestone, carved into the shape of a central cross on a rectangular hollow pedestal. Two limestone walls flank the pedestal, which all sit on a plinth and base with two steps. Rectangular marble tablets carry the names of those that have died in the line of duty in several conflicts, and are attached to the limestone flanks, pedestal and base. See also information on other War Memorials on the Featured Article page in this section.
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PHOTO: Somercotes War Memorial
UNVEILING OF THE SOMERCOTES WAR MEMORIAL
The War Memorial at Somercotes was unveiled on Sunday 16th October 1927. An article on the event was published in the Ripley & Heanor News, which read: “TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES – Somercotes War Memorial, erected to the memory of Somercotes men who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-18, was unveiled and dedicated in Somercotes Churchyard on Sunday afternoon last. Member of British Legion, Territorials, ex-servicemen and Somercotes and District Branch of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade assembled at Leabrooks Welfare and paraded to the Memorial under the command of Capt. H Slater, headed by Riddings United Silver Prize Band. In the parade were banners representing the following branches of the British Legion: Alfreton Women Section, Alfreton and District, Ripley. Heanor, Jacksdale, Swanwick and Pinxton. Round the Memorial it was estimated there would be some ten thousand people to witness the unveiling. Close by the choirs of all the Churches had gathered to lead the singing, accompanied by the Band, conducted by mr. John Woodcock.The Vicar (Rev. E Birtwistle) conducted the service which included the hymn “O God our help in ages past,” and prayer by the Vicar.
Lieut-Col. F E Seely, of Ramsdale Park, Arnold, did not deliver an address but said he was proud of the honour of being privileged to perform the ceremony of unveiling the Memorial to the glory of God and in honour of the men of Somercotes, who gave their lives for King and Country.The memorial was dedicated by the Vicar, after which buglers sounded “The Last Post”. During the singing of the hymn *O valiant hearts who to your glory came” wreaths were placed around the Memorial. Accompanying Col. Seely was Mrs Seely, and there were also present Mrs Salmon, of Newton Old Hall; Dr and Mrs O Dykes Robson, Somercotes; Mr Lawton of Daybrook House; Coun. Preston, Alfreton; Mr Geo. Beastall, J.P., C.C.; Mr T Barker, Alfreton; Mr Sam Wilde; Mr E C Pegg; Mr Dan Jaques. The Churches were represented by Messrs Hicking and Poyser (Wardens, Church), Mr F Bonsall, Mr. John Hall, Mr Sam Riley, Mr Lathwell and Mr Smalley of the Nonconformist Churches. Forty wreaths were laid on the Memorial.
The Committee responsible for the raising of the Memorial are: Mrs A Burton, Mrs J Amos, Mrs T Whilde jun., Mrs F Stevens, Coun., G Beastall, Messrs J Smith, F Stevens, W Wright, with Mr E Carter Pegg as Chairman and Mrs Dan Jaques as Secretary. The Police arrangements were admirably carried out under the supervision of Sergt. Symonds. Later the buglers sounded “The Reveille,” the Vicar pronounced the benediction and a memorable ceremony terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.The memorial, which takes the form of a white marble Latin cross, standing 12ft 6ins high with a plinth of the same marble, has panels on either side in which are inscribed the names of the fallen men as appended, and is the work of Mr Morley jun., of Alfreton”.
The newspaper article finished with a list of the names of the soldiers inscribed on the Memorial.
The names inscribed on the memorial are below:
TO THE GLORY
OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN
OF THIS PARISH WHO FELL
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1918
Robert H BAKER Sidney BAKER Harry W BARKER
Harry BATTISON Samuel Charles BILSON Walter BONSALL
Frank BOULTBEE Vaughan BOULTBEE Alfred M BOWLER
Leslie John BURTON Frank CARLIN Samuel CARRIER
Albert CASTLE Herbert CLARKE James CLARKE
James CLARKE William CLARKE Joseph CROSON
William Henry DABLE Joseph DARRINGTON David DENNIS
Frank DENNIS George W DURHAM Samuel EDGE
William EDGE Frank Edward ELLIS Lewis George ELLIS
Arthur EVERLEY Percy FISHER Ernest FLEET
William FOX Ernest FROGG James GASCOYNE
Oswald GASCOYNE Edward GAUNT George H GEE
John William GENT William GREATOREX James William GREGORY
Joseph HAGUE James H HARRIS George HERBERT
Joseph HERBERT John HOLLINGWORTH Thomas F HOLMES
Walter HOPE William HOPKINSON Ernest HUTCHINSON
William HUTCHINSON Arthur KIRK William LANGTON
Joseph LEESON Ernest William LEWIS Thomas MARSH
Henry MARTIN Edwin J MAY Walter MEADOWS
Frank J NICHOLSON William Wilmott OLDHAM Thomas PARNHAM
Charles PIDCOCK Samuel PRICE Jesse RADFORD
Harry RAYNOR Arthur REEK Lewis ROBINSON
Harold SIMPSON Karl Hollingworth SMITH Charles SMITH
John George SMITHHURST Thomas TAYLOR George A TOWSON
Frederick TURNER Ernest TURTON Richard TURTON
Arthur F WADDOUPS John W WALKER Albert F WALTON
Arthur WILSON William H WINCH
WORTHY OF REMEMBRANCE
1939-1945
Richard BURGOYNE Joseph BROWN Frederick COOPER
Frank E COXHEAD Lawrence CROSON Frank DEAN
Lewis G ELLIS Wilfred HARGREAVES John JARRETT
Frederick W LOWE Sidney MILES Denis MILLINGTON
Arthur PARSONS William RILEY Roy A RUMLEY
John SIMPSON George A STEAD William A THURMAN
Goerge WEBSTER Norman WOOTTON
1989
Kevin A FROGGETT