West Berkshire War Memorials

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ID:	WB318
UKNIWM:	41417
Location:	Town Hall
OS Map Ref:	SU470670
Description:	Brass tablet, stone mount

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Inscription:
Erected by the Burgesses of Newbury
To the
Memory of their fallen Townsmen
Tprs W Blackford, 12th RL, C H Freeman, NMP, E J Merritt, IY, G A Rogers, IY
Lce Corpl A Bosley, 2nd R Bks, Pvts W Hicks, QRWS, JA Hutchins, 5th R Bde, C Wells, 2nd R Bks
Who were Killed in Action or Died
During the South African War 1899-1902

What the papers said:

Newbury Boer War Memorial – Unveiling, 10 Nov 1902.

 

Memorial to Fallen Heroes at Newbury

Reading Mercury, 15 November 1902

 

Almost the final act of Councillor Rankin in his third successive year of office as Mayor of Newbury, was performed shortly before noon on Monday within the precincts of the Town Hall, when in the presence of a number of members of the Corporation, Colonel G C Ricardo, Mr S Knight, jun (representing the Berkshire Volunteers), and others, he unveiled a handsome brass tablet erected to the memory of Newbury men who have lost their lives in the South African War. The tablet was fixed on the right-hand side of the wall of the main entrance, immediately facing a tablet in stone on the opposite side of the entrance, recording the opening of the Municipal Buildings, and prior to the proceedings was covered with the Union Jack. The tablet is a handsome specimen of the engraver’s art, and Mr Ralph Allder, of Bartholomew-street, was warmly  praised for the fine workmanship  shown. In the top left-hand corner the borough arms has been worked in relief on the brass-work, while the lettering is relieved by initials in red. In each corner, floral emblems impart a finished appearance to the work. The wording of the memorial is as follows:

 

“Erected by the Burgesses of Newbury to the memory of their fellow townsmen – Troopers W Blackford (12th Royal Lancers), C H Freeman (Natal Mounted Police), E J Merritt (Berks Imperial Yeomanry), G A Rogers (Berks I Y 39th Coy), Lce-Corpl A Bosley (2nd Royal Berks), Pvtes W Hicks (Queen’s Royal West Surrey), J A Hutchins (5th Rifle Brigade), and C Wells (2nd Royal Berks), who were killed in action or died during the South African War, 1899-1902.”

 

It may be mentioned that the cost of the memorial was met out of a balance remaining to the Mayor’s credit from the £50 voted to him for the Coronation festivities from the borough funds.
Mr Stephen Knight, Chairman of the Estates Committee of the Corporation (to whom the work had been entrusted), said he had much pleasure in asking the Mayor to perform what was probably his last duty from the chair, and one which was very near indeed to the Mayor’s heart, namely to unveil the memorial that had been erected to the memory of those who had fallen in the War.

 

The Mayor said it was a source of pleasure to him to perform this duty of unveiling a memorial erected by the burgesses to their fellow townsmen who had given their services and their lives in their country’s cause at a great national crisis. They must all feel that while they recognised the services of those who had been spared to return home, they must also do honour to those who, in the providence of God, had not been permitted to return, and whose dist was now mingling on the veldt of South Africa with the great number of the sons of the Empire who had sacrificed their lves for King and country. It must be a source of pride to the townspeople that there were those to be found among them men of such valour, who had nobly performed their duty in assisting to maintain the prestige of out great Empire (Applause). The Mayor concluded by warmly congratulating Mr Allder, the engraver, on his excellent work.

 

Mr Knight thanked the Mayor for unveiling the tablet, and mentioned that Mr Rankin’s connection with the memorial would be duly commemorated in the stonework beneath the tablet. Among those present were the parents of several of those who died in the War.