BARLICK WAR MEMORIAL GROUP, REVEILLE.

[Thomo]

Right, I have spoken with "Thomas Rock" and sent the e/mail returned yesterday, correct address is "rayson969@btinternet.com" not royson969. Attached are the updated graphics. Yesterday they were working in Earby Cemetery and as a result of the call I made, they had a look at our Memorial on the way home. I have suggested that they check the dimensions of the two recesses and resize the panel dimensions if required, I have also stressed the need for a price asap, as, if they are given the task, the panels will be coming from India and this takes 8 weeks. Below is a copy of the e/mail I sent:-

Good Morning, I was given your details by "Helliwells" Funeral Services at Barnoldswick. My name is Peter Ian Thompson, a member of the "Barnoldswick War Memorial Group". During research 18 months ago I discovered that there were several names missing from the Towns War Memorial, the group was formed to address this matter. I have done the research for WW1 and Mr. Ian Lambert is working on WW2 and other events. Working with the council and borough engineers we came up with a plan for adding the names to the Memorial area. As a result, a new entrance to the Memorial has been added which opens onto the adjacent Co-op car park, this has 2 flanking walls, each with a recess to accommodate 4 granite panels each 15" wide by 18" high and with bevelled edges. We were advised that the dimensions and type of lettering should match that on the original Memorial ie, for WW1 the letters are app 1" high and for WW2 etc 1.25" high, the "headings and lettering for the re-dedication panel to be suitably larger. 6 months ago the work was given to Shaun Bradley for pricing, now we find that he is no longer trading!! The lettered panels on the original Memorial are "Shap Granite" and we understand that this is no longer available, something similar is required. We had set a target date for re-dedication at July 28th 2013 as we are hoping to involve the Military and they will be very busy on the centenery in 2014, this is flexible to a degree in the interest of accommodating Military involvement. I am attaching 2 graphics of the design that we have come up with and a pic of the new Memorial entrance, the re-dedication panel carries the hoped for date, the graphics are for East and West flanking walls the pic is looking North. A check on the dimensions of the 2 recesses would be advisable, they should be:- 18" high by 60" long. What we need now is an estimate for this work for the councils benefit. If you have any questions you can reach me on 01282 813355 or mail me on thomosmech@yahoo.co.uk .



Yours Sincerely: Peter Ian Thompson.

[Thomo]

Progress at last. Thomas Rock have achieved in 48 hours that which was not achieved in 6 months, they have come up with a workable plan and an estimated price, the plan I will detail later. As a result of a phone call from John at Threshfield, I am removing a name from the additions list for WW1, Private John Iredale, the only one without a known Service No. This has come about as a result of an error published in 1917 in the West Yorkshire Pioneer:"Private John Iredale of the Coldstream Guards, resident of 39 Beech St Barnoldswick" this should have read: "Private John Tweedie of the Coldstream Guards, resident of 39 Beech St Barnoldswick, J.Tweedie is already on the Memorial. Bless the press!!

[Stanley]

John Tweedie. Not a common name round here. I used to work with a John Tweedie at West Marton, wonder if he was related?

[Thomo]

I did some signwriting on one of John's Wagons at Crosshills, He and his Brother Brian were family descendants of the J. Tweedie on the Memorial.

[Thomo]

Now that the stonemason issue is back on track, I can turn my attention back to the hoped for military involment. I will mail Scott again and see if we can re-kindle the last attempt, thinking about this between bouts of sleep last night brought me to the conclusion that I could try higher up, and if need be the Colonel or deputy Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, for whom I have contact details. This generated a search of the regimental structure this morning and where the Regiments are at present. The Yorkshire Regiment is made up of four Battalions:-

1st. Battalion, currently at Munster in Germany, awaiting deployment.

2nd. Battalion, Currently at Episkopi in Cyprus until August 2013.

3rd. Battalion (formerly the Duke of Wellingtons) are at Warminster as part of 12 mechanised Brigade.

4th. Battalion, Territorial Army, HQ at York under the Command of Captain Derek Shakesby, nearest local unit is at Keighley, I have the contact details for the York HQ.

To get the involment of the regulars would be ideal, but the territorials are still Soldiers and from an historic point of view I would be quite happy to see them here in Barlick. I would welcome any of your thoughts on this fairly soon, as if I have had nil response from the earlier efforts by later in the coming week, I intend to move on. HRH The Duke of York or HG The Duke of Wellington may yet receive an e/mail or letter from Barlick!

[PanBiker]

Sounds like a good plan Thomo. 3rd Battalion would be the regiment of choice if possible as the majority of lads from here were in the Dukes. 4th Battalion Territorial's would be OK as well as many served there also prior to induction into the regulars. A lot will depend on the current Order of Battle no doubt particularly with the regulars.

[Thomo]

Its been a busy weekend on this project, and once again the book has taken 2nd place. I am now awaiting two written quotations for the work, 1 from Clitheroe and the other from Nelson, each to include the option of sandstone or granite for the panels, I am also waiting for a call from Robertson Memorials at Burnley. Working with John at Threshfield over the weekend, we are trying to validate another name on the list for addition, James Hargreaves could be James Hargraves, or James Haworth Hargraves, or James Howarth Hargraves, or James Haworth Hargreaves, or James Howarth Hargreaves, its all in the spelling. My next job is to e/mail Scott Flaving again to try and find out what is, or is not happening.

[Thomo]

I have mailed Scott, and since then have managed to find the contact details for the 4th Battalion T/A Keighley Detachment-C Company, phone No. e/mail and mobile. I will wait and see what happens next, but not for long! and then I will see what Keighley can do. Now to scrutinise James Hargreaves!!

[Thomo]

My last mail from Scott suggests that the T/A may indeed be the best approach, so I will now work on that.

[Thomo]

So there we are then. I have mailed the Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, with what we are trying to achieve, and attached the relevant pics and docs etc. So now we wait again! The Navy is easy to deal with, the Military are not.

[Thomo]

After two weeks of desperation. and much brain wracking, I now believe that we have at last got all issues concerning this project back on track. We now have 3 Monumental Masons on board, and this afternoon I received an e/mail from the Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion, of the Yorkshire Regiment. I cannot copy this here, but the upshot is this, they are very interested and wish to be involved. In the days to come I will be hearing from the Officer Commanding "C" Company of the 4th Battalion, Major Paul Hindmarsh at Huddersfield. My original mail has been copied all to interested parties. I will type a few bits of the mail here:-

Peter.

Thank you for the e/mail and congratulations on the work that has been put into the new elements of the War Memorial ( I sent a pic and the graphics, plus a list of the names). I appreciate the work that will have gone into it.

In terms of support to the re-dedication, we should be able to help in some form, it is after all almost irresistible for a Yorkshireman to go across the Pennines and take part in this type of event.

And thats all you are getting from the mail, apart from the fact that the comments are aimed at all who have contributed. I am now looking forward to working to make the re-dedication a success. and with this in mind I am going to bypass plan "B" (the offcumed uns) and add elements from plan "C". Our own local Cadets could be augumented with the invitation of other local Cadet groups, as could the Royal British Legion. And, Ian, what about the re-enactment element? Although the developments of the past two weeks have been a tad worrying, I now feel as though a big weight has been lifted, all I have to do now is get it all to "Gel"!

[PanBiker]

A lot better news Peter, as discussed on the phone I will sort out the contact details for Simon who is in charge of the Cadets and sound out the Haworth WR28 group. I'll email details to you. It is all sounding a lot more positive now, amazing how quickly things can turn round.

[Thomo]

In order to ease the pressure on all interested parties, I have this morning set the target date back by 1 month to the either the 1st of September 2013 or if needs be the 8th of September 2013. I have advised the Military and David Whipp, Ken Hartley and Ian of this decision. The reasons for this are:- 1. if granite is chosen for the panels and has to come from India, it could take up to 10 weeks for them to get to the Masons, this would not be just cutting it fine, it could be serious. 2. it will allow more time for any debate on the issue to take place. 3 It will give me more time to try and assemble a memorable and well organised event. The original date of the 28th of July 2013 was chosen to coincide with the 99th anniversary of the start of WW1, I now believe that this is less important than getting it right, and it is easier to change the date now than when it looks like all is going pear shaped. It has been a very busy two weeks here and my next phone bill will probly reflect this. It is now past noon and "Tot" time, this I "Will" enjoy!!

[Thomo]

I am now hoping that the revised target dates are not going to destroy what has been achieved in the past two weeks. I have had no response yet to this alteration from the Military, and by tomorrow I will be getting worried. Add to this, the way in which this site is being used as a platform for the denigration of events that do not concern this town, I am now considering closing this link and dealing with what we are trying to do in my own way. This would be sad, as I deal with people from all political persuasions and beliefs without prejudice. Even today, the issue of the lack of a C of E Vicar has been resolved. What I am trying to do, will be done, one way or another, but as an ex Navy Man I cannot do what is required when attention is focused elsewhere.

[PanBiker]

I have been working in the garden this morning and had a visitor this afternoon so only just picked up on your post Thomo. Revised dates seems like a good idea as the project has been put back 6 months by the original mason. I hope the military can encompass these dates also, the initial response was very positive.

[Thomo]

All interested parties have now been informed of the date change. Judging by what I saw at the Memorial this morning, we should have a splendid display this year, well done Barlick in Bloom, and thank you.

[David Whipp]

Thanks Peter.

We have more plants to go in (they are on back order), so there's still a chance for folk to get their hands dirty...

The bloom volunteers included a handful of youngsters and Graham and Diane in their wheelchairs as well as us old fogies, so it was a pretty mixed group that's taken part.

I may have to be on cinema duty at 10.30am tomorrow, but I'll try and meet up with you if I can.

[Thomo]

David and I met with the Rep, from Robertson Memorials on site this morning, and by next week we should have all three estimates. That out of the way I am now waiting in eager anticipation for a further response from the Military. Its time now to tidy up the "office" a bit before I get back to the work on the book.

[Thomo]

This could be good news from Whitby; I had a call from Colin Brittain last night, it is highly possible that the "William Riley" could be brought here on either of the two new dates. The head of the team responsible for the boat, another Peter Thompson, may be giving me a call shortly.

[PanBiker]

That's good news Thomo. I was thinking, when he rings you it will be like talking to yourself!

[Thomo]

Been doing that for ages Ian. A mail from David just now suggests that as the 7th and 8th of September is the Barlick heritage weekend, it would be the most favourable time to have the re-dedication. This I Believe to be so, and can now work around the 8th of September, all interested parties will be advised of this during today.

[Thomo]

Now that we appear to have most of the difficulties behind us, and due to another unrelated occurrence (See my post in ,What attracted your attention today) I feel a bit "drained". I could try to relax, but I know that if I do, I may require "kick starting" at a future date. As Lt. Col. Crowley of the 4th Battalion put it the other day, "the devil is in the detail". If we look at the planned event, there are several items that require consideration in order that all goes well on the day. The town council and all the other bodies involved are adept at the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday, a Service in the square, followed by a short march/stroll by way of Newtown and Station Rd, to the Memorial. This event however is different, and I have taken part in several. Usually a parade precedes the service, which then takes place at the Memorial in question. The service is something that will be determined by others, whereas the parade is "new territory", it needs a starting point, and a route that will have the most impact without being too taxing on those taking part. What I would like are the members ideas and thoughts on this, but I would suggest a starting point as at the West Craven Technology College, there is ample space for incoming vehicles, which can, once the parade is "off direct route" then be moved quickly to the finish point, ie, the Co-op car park without interfering with anything else. The last parade of any significance was in 1919 and probably started at the War Memorial by then in Letcliffe Park, then making its way down Manchester Rd, Park Ave, Park Rd, Frank st, and probably , then to the raiway station. There is much significance in that, the beginning, where the men were remembered, and at the end, where they left the town. Your thoughts Ladies and Gentlemen please.

[PanBiker]

The memorial was not installed at Letcliffe until 1923 as far as I am aware. Artifacts to that effect within the structure were found when it was re-sited to it's present location in 1983. A temporary structure where Steel's buildings are now was a wooden mock up put up during the public subscription stage until funds were raised for the present permanent structure.

Wasn't the 1919 parade when the tank was delivered to the town? I would assume it would come by rail and was driven up to the park, not sure if the photo's you have are of the same event Thomo. There are a few photographs in some of the locally produced booklets that show the tank progression, the tank was under it's own power and when it was finally sited on it's plinth up at the park, the engine was disabled and the machine gun breaches were welded up, no doubt to prevent it being used in any potential uprising!

Good question about the parade though. If we start where the lads are remembered though and finish where they left the town it will be a very short walk! A lot may depend on availability of policing for the road closures or management. This is one of the advantages of the remembrance service starting in the Town Square and it's short route round Newtown and Station Road. A larger parade will need some thinking about with all parties involved. Good to start discussing it now though.

[Thomo]

The wooden "mock up" was first moved to Letcliffe, before being replaced by the current Memorial, there is a pic of it in situ there, there is a great deal of interest in the artefacts found. The tank did indeed come by rail and I have a couple of pics of it en route to Letcliffe. Thanks for your input on this Ian, I have several practical routes in mind that are adaptable, the first one is: West Craven High, Kelbrook Rd, Essex St, left into Rainhall Rd, then Newtown, and then either Station Rd, or down past the Church and right, up to the Memorial, another version is when on Essex St, go left into Rook St, Right into Park Rd, and left into Rainhall Rd, this would reduce the impact on traffic using the through route. Another route that would reduce the impact on through traffic would be to go from Craven High over the Park Hill Estate and into Park Rd, but the parking problem on there would render it very difficult, as also would Rook St and the bit of Park Rd idea. There is a little more to add, but I will save this for later. Thanks Ian, thinking caps on to the rest of you!

[Thomo]

This has rather more to do with the book project, but may be of interest here as well. In the book, and at the end of WW1 I am going to include a set of statistics, this will concern the men in relation to what Regiments they were in, and where they are buried or remembered. Today I have had a "dry run" using the alphabetical list that I have, so that I can produce a workable format, greater accuracy will be achieved by using the updated info base, some of the results that I will post here whilst close, are not 100% accurate. First the men, these were spread over about 55 Regiments etc, and as may be expected, the Dukes were most numerous being 90 in number. Then the East Lancs Regiment with 23, the Prince of Wales own Yorkshire Light Infantry with 17, the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Field Artillery both with 16, KOYLI,8 HLI & DLI, 7 each and so on. The graves and Memorials of the men were scattered over 55 locations, some as far away as Delhi, Baghdad and Basra, but most in europe. There are 28 Barlickers on the Tyne Cot Memorial, 24 at Thiepval, 12 on the Menin Gate, 11 at Ploegsteert, 14 at Arras, 9 at Cambrai, 8 at Basra, 9 on the Helles Memorial and 8 at Pozieres, the remainder of the Memorials and Cemeteries all have at least 1. These do not include the Naval memorials at Chatham and Plymouth, nor do they include those buried or remembered at Ghyll, Skipton or Keighley. We have the right to complain, or "kick off" about the state of this country, or the nature of events that take place within it, in WW1 alone, 315 men and 1 Woman from Barlick defended that right, never to see the benefits.