Peterborough and District War Memorial Hospital

• Peterborough War Memorial Hospital
  Midland Road
  Peterborough
  Peterborough
  Cambridgeshire
  PE3 6DD
  England
  
  OS Grid Ref: TL 18476 98718
  Denomination: Undefined

• First World War (1914-1918)
  Total names on memorial: 0
  Served and returned: 0
  Died: 0
  Exact count: yes
  Information shown: Undefined
  Order of information: Undefined

• Building
  Measurements: Undefined
  Materials: Brick
• Door
  Measurements: height 600, width 2150
  Materials: Stone
• Foundation stone
  Measurements: height 570, width 960
  Materials: Stone
• Other structure
  Measurements: height 570, width 960
  Materials: Stone
• Plaque
  Measurements: height c2000mm, width c900mm
  Materials: Bronze
• Frame
  Measurements: Undefined
  Materials: Marble - Green

• This memorial is not currently listed. Find out how to nominate this memorial for inclusion on the National Heritage List for England
• More about listing and the protection of historic places can be found on the Historic England website
• 

• Peterborough District Hospital Memorial Wing
• WMO ID: 193499
• Condition: Good [last updated on 01-10-2018]
• Help update these details if the condition is wrong
• 

Site: £5,500
Comments: Land to the value of £5,500 was donated by Alderman J.H. Bunting for the site of the Hospital.
Memorial: £90,000

• Carter Postcard Collection
• www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/193499
• Peterborough Telegraph 15/11/2016 reported: 'Primary school moves into new £6 million building at former Peterborough District Hospital site. Staff and pupils at West Town Primary Academy are celebrating moving into their new £6 million school building, built on the site of the former Peterborough District Hospital in Thorpe Road...' www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/education/primary-school-moves-new-aps6-million-building-former-peterborough-district-hospital-site-1180416?msclkid=46473549b4ee11ec881c649838343538
• Peterborough Telegraph 26/5/2016 reported progress on the redevelopment/repurposing of the former War Memorial Hospital site, and the forthcoming opening of its new occupants: 'Milestone at new school on old Peterborough District Hospital site. A topping out ceremony marked the highest point of construction for the new primary school being built on the former Peterborough District Hospital site. The new building is on schedule to open in October 2016 to allow West Town Primary Academy to relocate and expand from its existing site on Williamson Avenue. It will provide places for 630 pupils - double the number at the existing site - and the school will increase the admission number for reception children from 45 to 90 from September 2017. The £6 million Education Funding Agency project is part of the Government’s Priority Schools Building Programme that addresses the needs of schools most in need of repair. The building works are being carried out by Kier Construction. The council has also contributed an additional £2 million towards associated works including the retention and restoration of the Memorial Hospital and highway improvements. These costs are not covered as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme. Councillor John Holdich, leader of the council and cabinet member for education, skills and university, said: “The topping out ceremony of the new primary school is an exciting milestone in its development. “Everyone involved in the project is pleased to see the building really taking shape and I look forward to when it opens later in the year.” Dennis Cotton, Operations Director for Kier, added: “I am proud of the work that the team has undertaken to top out at West Town Primary Academy after only seven months on site. It’s a credit to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.” www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/education/milestone-new-school-old-peterborough-district-hospital-site-1236553?msclkid=9a731b20b4ec11eca571387327c0e1b6
• Peterborough City Council: 'Peterborough District Hospital Site, Supplementary Planning Document Adopted June 2010', contained details of the proposed redevelopment of the former Hospital site. Page 3 stated: 'The Memorial Wing is now listed in the adopted Local Plan as a “Building of Townscape Merit” and as such, its retention should be factored into any redevelopment proposals'. democracy.peterborough.gov.uk/documents/s5463/Peterborough District Hospital Supplementary Planning Document June 2010 Version.pdf?msclkid=e0004129b4e111ecab6ec6d8b2ae0e46
• 'List of Buildings of Local Importance In Peterborough', Draft for consultation February 2011, page 25 (Local list ref We4).
• 'Peterborough & District War Memorial Hospital 1928-1968', article by Gwendoline Beatty; Peterborough Museum Society, 1988
• Peterborough and Hunts Standard dated 21/6/1929 reported on the upcoming opening of the Children's wing. (A subsequent report of that opening was printed in their issue dated 5/7/1929).
• Peterborough and Hunts Standard dated 15/6/1928 included a very detailed description of the ceremonial opening of the Hospital on page 7, the opening paragraphs of which read: 'PETERBOROUGH NEW HOSPITAL LAUNCHED ON ITS MISSION. Famous Soldier Opens Memorial to our Fallen. GREAT DAY IN THE CITY'S HISTORY. The Peterborough and District Memorial New Hospital was opened yesterday by Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson Bart., with notes of congratulation and confidence that not even the dourest June day could spoil. As late as two o'clock it looked almost hopeless to expect an open-air ceremony, so constant was the rain and so murky the outlook - as sharp a contrast to the day of the stone-laying ceremony as could be imagined. Then the rain ceased, and, fortunately, it did not resume for the rest of the afternoon. A large platform with awning had been erected in front of the new nurses home, and the space in front and on either side was packed. In Midland-road itself there was also a large concourse, and it is probable that altogether considerably more than 2,000 people were present. Lines of bunting ran overhead, and umbrellas and mackintoshes were offset by the military uniforms and decorations, academic vestments, and not least by the Court dress of the High Sheriff of Cambs. and Hunts. (Ald. H. A. Whittome). It was a striking scene, and a convincing manifestation of the sincerity of the support of all classes, in happy confederation. Nothing was more characteristic of the speeches than assurance that the large sum needed for annual maintenance will be forthcoming. It takes £6,500 to run the Infirmary, and the estimate is that £11,500 will be required for the new Hospital. At one time this great increase might have daunted; to-day it does not. Contemplation that well on for £100,000 has been raised in one way and another in the last nine years for capital outlay, and the fact that the quota-raising machinery can be adapted to help to meet yearly obligations give short shrift to any furtive apprehension. Confidence and courage, hard work, and a great cause, have triumphed so far, and the future will not fail. Such was the atmosphere. Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson paid a great tribute to the Hospital service in the Great War, and compared it with the terrible record of the south African campaign, when 13,000 men perished from disease, and 8,000 men from the fighting. In an eloquent plea for disarmament and peace, he declared that "Victorious war is a tragedy."...' The same issue of that newspaper also included a special supplement on page 13, featuring photographs of the building and plans of its layout etc. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003301/19280615/221/0013
• The Peterborough & Hunts Standard dated 31/7/1925 printed a detailed report of the laying on the foundation stone, the opening paragraphs of which read: 'CITY AND DISTRICT. Mr. Fitzwilliam Performs Ceremony. THE FINANCIAL TASK AHEAD THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR PETERBOROUGH AND THE DISTRICT was laid by Mr. G. C. W. Fitzwilliam, D.L., J.P., of Milton Hall, on Saturday afternoon, amidst glorious promise of successful completion. The immense display of public interest, crystallised in a procession of greater length than anyone remembered having seen before in Peterborough, and the representation of all sections of the community, were features of the proceedings that struck home at once. But there was something even more vital that everyone felt. The people of the city and of the district have set their hearts on the provision of the hospital. As someone said, it was not a case of urging or soliciting attendance; the people were there because they wished to be there to avow their interest and their good-will; and, although there were little snags in the marshalling, it was typical of the prevailing spirit that no semblance of a murmur was heard. Nothing needful for a completely happy ceremony was wanting. The Bishop came bringing the benison of the Cathedral and diocese: the Rev. G. W. Elliott, of Harris-street Baptist Chiirch, Peterborough, worthily embodied the co-operation of the Free Churches. County and Soke were represented by the Marquess of Exeter, Lord Lieutenant of the one and Custos Rotulorum of the other: the municipal unit by the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor, supported by their colleagues who could attend. Ald. J. H. Bunting, donor of the five-acre site, was in radiant spirit; and it was a great happiness to all that the central figure in the ceremony was the President of the present Infirmary, the bearer of the foremost name in the hospital history of the city. Doctors and nurses, Cadet Corps and Territorials, Friendly Societies and Trade Organisations, added their cheerful support; and, finally, there were delegates from neighbouring towns and villages which may be said to be within the radius of the hospital service of Peterborough. These external areas have become stout-hearted and generous enthusiasts for the scheme, and their presence in the procession in such large numbers was both welcome and stimulating. The temperature of a perfect summer day was Eastern in its cordiality. A few light fleecy clouds rose high in the sky, but for the most part the sun had it all his own way. Sunshades were in great request, and to stream with perspiration was the common lot. But no one seemed to mind: it was a great occasion and a chosen ordeal, not an obligatory duty'. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003301/19250731/143/0008
• Peterborough and Hunts Standard dated 11/1/1919 printed a lengthy report on progress of the scheme, the opening paragraphs of which read: 'PETERBOROUGH'S GREAT WAR MEMORIAL. Enthusiastic Meeting Starts the New Infirmary Scheme . "NOT LESS THAN £50,000, OR MORE THAN £70,000" The first meeting of the newly-constituted General Committee in connection with the proposed new War Memorial Infirmary was held at Peterborough Guildhall on Wednesday night. A large gathering showed great enthusiasm for the scheme, and the progress made included the election of Committees for finance, for consideration of sites, and for discussion of plans. The matter of a general executive committee was also discussed...' www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003301/19190111/106/0007
• Peterborough and Hunts Standard dated 17/11/1917 reported that a proposal had been made by the Mayor of Peterborough for the City to commemorate its war casualties by erecting a memorial in the form of a much-needed new hospital. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003301/19171117/082/0007
• 'Peterborough and District Memorial New Hospital Souvenir Programme of Ceremonial Opening Thursday June 14th 1928'. (A copy of this 64 page Programme is held by the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. A copy is also held in the Local Studies and Archives Section at Peterborough Central Library, under reference 3E 51). This Programme records the background to the building of the Hospital as the City's primary World War 1 Memorial, including a description of various fundraising events held to meet the cost, and details of the foundation ceremony and floor-plans etc.