Memorial details

Memorial type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
District
Undefined
Town
Ripon
County
North Yorkshire
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 31/12/1918
    Attended by: General Sir John Grenfell Maxwell performed the unveiling
  • Dedicated
    Date: 31/12/1918
    Attended by: Reverend E. A. Chard performed the dedication
  • Show More (1)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
87160

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Current location

Ripon Prison and Police Museum
St Marygate
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 1LX
England

OS Grid Ref: SE 31560 71315
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • St Andrew's Police Treatment Centre
    Harlow Moor Road
    Harrogate
    Harrogate
    West Yorkshire
    HG2 0AD
    England

    OS Grid Ref: SE 29124 54401
    Denomination: Undefined
  • (It hung in the entrance hall of St George's House)
    Northern Police Orphanage
    Otley Road
    Harrogate
    Harrogate
    West Riding
    HG2 0DP
    England

    OS Grid Ref: SE 29303 54183
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Ornately carved and painted marble plaque, depicting Richard the Lionheart leading the Crusaders against the Saracens in the struggle for the Holy Sepulchre. The panel is mounted within a wooden frame that has a brass plaque attached bearing the names of the 37 who served. The initial letter of the forenames and surnames of the ten of them who were listed on the memorial as having died are in red enamelled lettering*. The current frame of the memorial is a later replacement. The original frame was more ornate, and had the painted words "Deus Vult" above the plaster panel, and an additional brass plaque at the base of the frame, beneath the plaque bearing the names. [*Whilst the memorial recorded that only ten of the 37 named former residents of the Orphanage had died in WW1, it is known that at least one of the others also did so, i.e. John Wilfred Bee, whose death 'on or since 13/6/1916' in the Canadian Infantry was presumed. The memorial may therefore have similar errors regarding the survival/death of others named upon it].
Inscription
(The dedicatory section of the memorial is unknown; it appears to have been engraved on a separate brass plaque that was attached to the original frame, which was subsequently removed).
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Andrews, Bertram
Ashburne, Alfred
Ashburne, Richard
Ayres, Edward
Bee, John Wilfred
Bell, Joseph
Booth, Frank
Boyd, Vincent Wilson
Brooke, Baden
Clayton, Charles
See details for all 37 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 37
    Served and returned: 27
    Died: 10
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Forenames, surname
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Plaque
    Measurements: height c2000mm, width c1700mm
    Materials: Marble, wood, brass
Listing information
Condition
History
The memorial was refurbished in 2007 by Ripon Prison and Police Museum before being placed on display.
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Responsibility
Ripon Prison and Police Museum
Reference
  • Leeds Mercury 1/1/1919 (page 3) reported the unveiling: 'POLICE ORPHANAGE. UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TO OLD BOYS AT HARROGATE. An interesting ceremony took place yesterday at the Northern Police Orphanage at Harrogate consisting of the unveiling of a war memorial—the gift of Dr. Crawford Watson—by Gen. Sir John Maxwell. This was a beautifully figured tablet in the entrance hall, which bears the names of the "Old Boys" who have taken part in the war. Major Fawkes presided. General Maxwell, after unveiling the war memorial, said that was so very essential nowadays was that all their young people, of whatever class of life, should have a fair start. Their boys of to-day- and he should also add- their girls had as good an opportunity as their predecessors to get right to the top of the ladder, and what they learnt in that institution would be of the utmost benefit to them. (Applause.) The company then adjourned to the Gymnasium, where Sir John Maxwell distributed the annual prizes to the children, and a concert followed'. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000748/19190101/039/0003
  • Durham at War website has details of John Wilfred Bee, who died 'on or since 13/6/1916' while serving in the Canadian Army, and mentions that he is commemorated on this Northern Police Orphanage memorial, see www.durhamatwar.org.uk/story/13350/
  • www.childrenshomes.org.uk/HarrogatePolice/?LMCL=ahqRt8
  • www.stgeorgesharrogate.org/stg35memorials.htm
  • Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1/1/1919 (page 6) reported the unveiling: 'GENERAL MAXWELL AND THE POLICE. General Sir John Maxwell (Northern Command) yesterday afternoon unveiled a war memorial at the Northern Counties Police Orphanage, Harrogate. The memorial is of marble, and represents Richard Coeur de Lion leading the Crusaders against the Saracens in the struggle for the Holy Sepulchre. At the base is the roll of honour of boys from the Home who have fallen in action. Major Fawkes presided over a large attendance, and apologised for the absence of Dr. and Mrs. Crawford Watson, at whose expense the memorial had been erected. Sir John Maxwell said they were proud of the police, who belonged to the most hard-worked service, and he approved of the suggestion that they should be better paid. They were entitled to a living wage, and when age crept upon them they should be able to settle down and spend the rest of their days in ease'. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/19190101/197/0006

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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© WMR-87160

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