Great Malvern – Blogging while allatsea

Malvern Priory War Memorial

On: 23/09/201921/05/2020 By: JA

I visited Malvern Priory on 13 September 2019 and took the following images of the War Memorial inside.

The memorial may be described as :“Large wall-mounted stone tablet is flanked by stone figures of Mary with Child and crown (left) and St George (Right) Inscription and names are in the centre of the tablet.”

There are 43 names from the First World War (1914-1918) and 15 from the Second World War (1939-1945) commemorated on the Memorial. (Names may be seen at the IWM listing for the Memorial).

The Memorial was made by Messrs Caroe And Passmore and unveiled on 11 November 1920.

Outside the Priory is a wall mounted plaque with the the bases of the crosses as mentioned.

Unfortunately the legibility of the bases is poor with two exceptions:

Great Malvern War Memorial

On: 23/09/201919/12/2019 By: JA

on 13 September 2019 I visited Great Malvern, and on my list of things to see was the War Memorial. The War Memorial in the Priory is dealt with in a separate post.

The War Memorial is directly in front of the library and has no names inscribed on it. It is described as:

“WINGED SEMI-NUDE MALE FIGURE, REPRESENTING YOUTH, WITH ARMS STRETCHED UPWARDS HOLDING A FLAMING TORCH. THE FIGURE LOOKS UPWARDS TOWARDS THE TORCH. TREE ROOTS ARE WRAPPED AROUND THE FEET OF THE FIGURE, WHICH STANDS ON A STONE PLINTH AND FIVE STEPPED BASE. THE INSCRIPTION IS CARVED PROUD ON THE PLINTH.”

The inscriptions read:

12 O’Clock: “TO THOSE WHO/ NOBLY SERVED/ 1914-1919/ 1939-1945

6 O’Clock: “THEIR LIFE THEY/ GAVE THE LIGHT/ OF LIFE TO SAVE“

The memorial may be found at Google Earth co-ordinates 52.112887°, -2.326983°.

The memorial is a Grade II listed structure and it was unveiled in 1923 and was made by Captain Richard Reginald Goulden. (Information from Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register).

John Frederick Bell GC

On: 15/03/201711/01/2018 By: JA

John Frederick Bell (1872 – 05/1950) was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) on on 17 May 1930 while employed as the Underground Manager at Ariston Gold Mine, Prestea, Gold Coast.

“John Frederick Bell showed great gallantry on the occasion of an accident in the mine on the 17th May, 1930, when he was instrumental in saving the lives of a number of natives who would have otherwise been gassed.

He was 58 years old and working at the Ariston Gold Mine when several natives were involved in an accident. Bell went in search of these men, and was instrumental in saving them from being gassed. Two other men who went in search of Bell both died from the gas, as would Bell have done when he too fell unconscious, were it not for the fact that his mouth was next to a leak in a compressed air pipe.”

He is buried in Great Malvern Cemetery, Worcestershire.

Henry Ward VC.

On: 30/08/201505/01/2020 By: JA

Henry Ward (1823 – 12/09/1867) was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Indian Mutiny.

The citation, recorded in the London Gazette of 18 June 1858, Issue: 22154, Page: 2958 reads:

“For his gallant and devoted conduct in having on the night of the 25th, and morning of the 26th of September, 1857, remained by the dooly of Captain H. M. Havelock, 10th Regiment, Deputy Assistant-Adjutant-General, Field Force, who was severely wounded, and on the morning of the 26th of September, escorted that Officer and Private Thomas Pilkington, 78th Highlanders, who was also wounded, and had taken refuge in the same dooly, through a very heavy cross fire of ordnance and musketry. This soldier remained by the side of the dooly, and by his example and exertions kept the dooly bearers from dropping their double load, throughout the heavy fire, with the same steadiness as if on parade, thus saving the lives of both, and bringing them in safety to the Baillie Guard.” (Extract from Divisional Orders of Major-General Sir James Outram, G.C.B., dated 27th October, 1857.”

He is buried in Great Malvern Cemetery, Great Malvern, Worcs.

Henry Ward VC 1823 - 12/09/1867 Great Malvern Cemetery — Henry Ward VC
1823 – 12/09/1867
Great Malvern Cemetery