Help us remember
We have recently posted some excellent work from members in response to our Memory Projects, whether on the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, the Kindertransport or All Our Yesterdays.
Our new project is inspired by Second World War Remembrance. Many of us will have been moved by the commemorative events surrounding the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on 6 June. For some, there will be a direct link with a family member and/or with a war memorial.
We are aiming to create a collection of photos sent by u3a members from World War 2 war memorials with which they are familiar. These could relate to relatives or close connections or perhaps to the subject(s) of research done by individual members or u3a groups. Where is the memorial, what is the name and why and are there any relevant photographs or other information? Sometimes, there may be an actual grave (my own local cemetery in Portsmouth commemorates the local dead of World War Two near their final resting places). Details can be submitted on the form below.
Some members may be inspired to respond by a recent presentation that was featured in our Online Learning Events series, on the subject of the Imperial War Museum’s War Memorials Register and this is also an excellent source of reference:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials
Carole Chapman, Trust Volunteer
In front of All Saints Church, Ripley, submitted by Peter Smith, Ripley & District u3a
'The memorial was originally unveiled on August 3rd 1923 and listed the names of 202 men who died in the First World War.'
NT Tatton Park, submitted by Barbara Stafford, Bury u3a
'Although this memorial is marked on the map, the closest most people will get to it, is when they visit the RHS Tatton Flower show. Even then they will perhaps pass by in a car and still not see it.'
Euxton War Memorial, submitted by Alison May, u3a office
'This is to the front of a building which is used by the community but it appears was the War Memorial itself prior to the construction of the monument, plaque and the flower beds area. The building and monument are on the main road through Euxton, Chorley.'
Hoe Park Armada Way The Promenade PL1 2HJ submitted by Carole Chapman, Interest Groups Online
'The Memorial has an iconic location on Plymouth Hoe.'
Hove War Memorial, submitted by Alison May, u3a office
'This is on Grand Avenue in Hove which leads down to the sea. It is a really wide road and this is in the middle of the road between the lanes of traffic with the soldier's back to the sea.'
The British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, submitted by Helen Houghton, Wroxham & District u3a
'The Memorial overlooks Gold Beach, a code name for one of the five areas of the Allied Invasion on 6 June 1944. I visited just after the 80th Anniversary. I felt that a photograph of the back of the statue brought home the valour and determination of these brave men. 22,442 British and Commonwealth soldiers are commemorated there. It was a very moving experience.'
Mortain, Normandy. Hill 314 park, submitted by Alvin Barrick, Wroxham & District u3a
'For five days, approximately 700 surrounded Americans of the 30th Infantry Division, Second Battalion beat off assaults by the German 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division. Hill 314 was a vital vantage point—preserved today within a park on the summit of Hill 314 which had clear views of German movements on the roads below.'
Kirkham memorial gardens, submitted by Susan Butler Davies, Lytham St Annes u3a
'The trees were mere saplings in the original photo and there is now an addition waterfall of poppies to commemorate the men that that lost their lives in battle along with artwork of black metal silhouettes of the soldiers.'
Forest Town, Nr Mansfield, Notts. submitted by Pauline Marples, Forest Town and District u3a
'The War Memorial stands near Forest Town crossroads in the churchyard of St Albans Church, Forest Town, Near Mansfield. It is situated to the left of the gates leading to the main door of the church.'
Cannock Chase, submitted by Ian Shardlow, Lichfield u3a
'There are two military cemeteries on Cannock Chase, both maintained by Commonwealth War Graves. There’s a small cemetery for Commonwealth armed forces personnel. And next to it is the very much larger German Military Cemetery.'