Memorial details

Memorial type
Obelisk
District
Derby
Town
Burbage, Buxton
County
Derbyshire
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945), Second World War - civilians
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 6 November 1920
    Attended by:
  • Dedicated
    Date: 6 November 1920
  • Show More (1)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
14265

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Current location

Roadside
Macclesfield Old Road at Junction with St Johns Rd (A53)
Burbage
Buxton
Derby
Derbyshire
SK17 6UB
England

OS Grid Ref: SK 043 728
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
A limestone obelisk on a pedestal, plinth and a two-stepped base. The obelisk is plain and the battered pedestal has a moulded top and recessed panels on each face bearing the inlaid inscription in upright capital block lettering. The plinth has vertical faces and a moulded top and bears the WW2 supplement on the 6 o'clock face, also inlaid in upright capital block lettering. The whole is surrounded by wrought iron railings and handgate painted black.
Inscription
6 o'clock face of pedestal: TO/ THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL/ MEMORY OF THE MEN OF BURBAGE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING/ AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT/ WORLD WAR. AUG. 4TH. 1914/ TO JUNE 28TH. 1919/ "O VALIANT HEARTS,/ WHO TO YOUR GLORY CAME/ THROUGH DUST OF CONFLICT/ AND THROUGH BATTLE FLAME,/ TRANQUIL YOU LIE,/ YOUR KNIGHTLY VIRTUE PROVED,/ YOUR MEMORY HALLOWED/ IN THE LAND YOU LOVED."/ (Names) 6 o'clock face of plinth: 1939 - 45 (Names) 9, 12 and 3 o'clock faces of pedestal: (Names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Bagshawe, A
Belfield, G E
Belfield, J P
Bennett, E
Bennett, G
Bennett, J
Bennett, L
Bennett, S G
Bennett, W T
Beswick, H
See details for all 60 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 49
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 49
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames
    Order of information: surname
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 10
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 10
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forenames, rank, decorations
    Order of information: surname
  • Second World War - civilians
    Total names on memorial: 1
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 1
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: surname, initials of forename, rank, service
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Obelisk
    Measurements: depth 375mm, height 2400mm, width 375mm
    Materials: Stone - Limestone
  • Pedestal
    Measurements: depth 560mm, height 860mm, width 560mm
    Materials: Stone - Limestone
  • Plinth
    Measurements: depth 710mm, height 320mm, width 710mm
    Materials: Stone - Limestone
  • Base
    Measurements: depth 1520mm, height 330mm, width 1520mm
    Materials: Stone - Limestone
  • Fence/ Railing
    Measurements: depth 2440mm, height 1290mm, width 2440mm
    Materials: Wrought Iron
Listing information
Condition
History
c1989: Railings replaced.
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Responsibility
High Peak Borough Council.
Reference
  • www.buxtonwarmemorials.co.uk/burbage.html
  • Buxton Advertiser 25 September 1920
  • By 8 November 1919, however, 'The Buxton Advertiser' reported that it had been finally decided that the proponents of the obelisk had held sway and a "monument" was to be erected near the Public Hall. It read: "Fifty-two heroes laid down their lives in the Great War from Burbage parish. Their names are to be placed on the monument. …… Relatives and friends are requested to carefully scrutinise the names given below, and if any errors are noticed the Vicar (Rev. J. Hewetson, M.A.) should be informed as soon as possible:-" The names were then listed. From this list 7 more names were subsequently added, whilst 5 were removed.
  • By 27 September 1919, yet another Parish Meeting discussed the Recreation Ground proposal, but stated that there was a problem with finding a suitable site, and "... in the meantime that need not delay putting up the memorial ... on the most prominent place that could be found." The meeting then discussed the Memorial obelisk and the Chairman proposed that it be formally adopted; seconded and passed, with the opinion that the site proposed by the Borough Council - i.e. its current location, was the best that could be found. "The obelisk would be in Hopton Wood stone, 12 ft. 9 ins. [3.89 m.] high, with step 5 ft. by 5 ft. [1.52 m.], and four centre panels to receive inscription; cost £180 delivered and fixed complete, lettering extra. Letters cut and filled with lead, 4s. 6d. [22 p] per dozen. Extra cost for four bronze panels with raised letters, approximately £200." [Eventually the Committee must have opted for the cheaper lettering option.]
  • 'Peace Day' celebrations were held on the 19 July 1919 and "The Buxton Advertiser' published that day was beginning to reflect the anger and discontent of the people of Burbage over the lack of progress. The paper reported that another Public Meeting, in the Parish Rooms, had been called for Monday evening (21 July), when it was to be proposed that the Memorial would be: "… a stone obelisk in a central position in the village, containing the names of those who have fallen, and thus memorialise for all time to future generations the great sacrifice made by their ancestors. The stone is to be supplied by the Hopton Wood Stone Company, and altogether the cost is estimated at about £200." Clearly, though, the local residents were not in favour as "… between three and four hundred residents of Burbage parish have signed the following petition:- " The published petition makes it evident that the locals were overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme to build a park or recreation ground as a fitting memorial to the fallen
  • The following week brought a much longer letter from William Edge, of Modena House, Burbage, ('The Buxton Advertiser' 17 May 1919) whose opinion probably bore more weight as three of his sons had fought in the Great War in France and Italy. [Pt. 65647 Louis Edge - Notts & Derbys. Regt.; Pt. 137965 William D. Edge, Machine Gun Corps. and John W. Edge (Regiment not known)] A very well though out suggestion from Mr Edge raised concerns of children playing in the "busy traffic at the road junction" (!!) and suggested the compromise of placing the obelisk memorial at the centre or in the middle of the park "... where the names of our fallen boys would always be clear and readable." He maintained that if placed opposite the church entrance - which it was - "... the names would very often be buried owing to the clouds of dust caused by present day motor traffic ..." - which they are.
  • A letter published in the Buxton Advertiser [10 May 1919] pointed out that as well as passing a vote for the obelisk proposal, a second vote (not reported the previous week) "... in favour of a park - in addition to the monument - was passed most enthusiastically." This writer too makes the point that most of Burbage's fallen were non-Conformists and that an internal memorial IN the church was a matter for regular worshippers only.
  • The Buxton Advertiser' (3 May 1919) reported at some length as there was a good attendance and Mr T.H. Lothian, J.P., was elected Chairman. It was "regretted that Mr Hubbersty was not present" - this was Henry Alfred Hubbersty who was the Director of Buxton Lime Firms Ltd. and lived with his wife and 6 servants at Burbage Hall, Buxton [pictured right]. He sent a letter by way of his apologies because of illness, but assured the meeting "… you may rely on my doing all I can to support the erection of a suitable memorial … ". His letter went on: "Had I been present I would have suggested a stone monument - of Derbyshire stone for choice, so many of them being quarrymen - placed in a prominent position close to the church, chapel or school …". He also enclosed "… a drawing, showing a very elegant, but perhaps too expensive an obelisk, as an idea." Mr Hubbersty's letter concluded by offering his wife's apologies for not attending the meeting, but that she too favoured the idea of an obelisk "… or perhaps a lych-gate." To his credit, and despite the obvious pressure from the local 'gentry', the Chairman maintained that it was a Parish meeting and therefore non-sectarian, and the views of the local residents should be sought. Having said that, however, he suggested that the Vicar address them! It seems that from this very first meeting the idea of an obelisk took root.
  • Military Images The page has a photograsph and partial name list. www.militaryimages.net/photopost/world-war-1-2c-2-war-memorials-and-commemorative-memorials/p55896-burbage-derbyshire.html
  • Parish Magazine 40-41/ December 1920 Burbage Parish Magazine - A Short History of Burbage by F A Forster, 1961, Buxton Press.

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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