A Guide to Goole's War Memorials

Previous blog articles has studied individual Goole Memorials but as of yet we have not provided a full outline of the total number of shrines and memorials erected in the town, and memorials which name Goole servicemen and women. In this blog post we will compile a full record of known memorials and shrines (although this keeps expanding), and provide an index of their current, if known, locations.  The blog will break the memorials into an index based on location over three blog posts. Much of the information comes from extensive research of the Goole Times newspaper and also thanks to information passed on by fellow researchers.

Churches

In 1914 Goole was well served by the Church with fifteen churches representing seven dominations. However, over time many of these buildings have been destroyed along with their memorials and shrines. It is still possible using historical sources to put together which Churches created memorials, and fortunately Goole Parish Church has inherited memorials from a number of redundant Churches.  

Goole Parish Church – St John the Evangelist

Among the many shrines and memorials within Goole Parish Church three relate to the First World War:

1 – The Goole Parish First World War Memorial is located in the north transept of the church. In response to delays by the Goole War Memorial Committee the Parish Council decided that it would create its own memorial. Throughout 1919 and 1920 the Parish collected names by undertaking a doorstep survey and commissioned the London firm of Messrs. Morris and Co. to construct the memorial. The memorial was dedicated in July 1921, with an overall estimated cost of £334 15s 9d.  The memorial contains the names of 445 deceased men, consisting of 360 from the Army, 53 from the Merchant Marine and 32 from the Royal Navy. 

2 – In the south elevation of the nave there is a portrait window dedicated to a Goole victim of the Red Baron. The memorial has previously been discussed on the blog, but to reiterate the dedication on the window is:

“IN MEMORY OF A GALLANT SON LEIUTENANT ERNEST CONWAY-LANSDALE DIED IN FRANCE SEP 30TH 1916 ERECTED BY HIS LOVING PARENTS”

Lieutenant Conway-Lansdale was a member of the Lancashire Regiment and later became attached to the Royal Flying Corp, serving in 11 Squadron. Born in Goole he was the elder son of Captain E. E. Lansdale, A.S.C. of Hawthorn Villas, The Grove, Ilkley.

3 – In the North Transept there is a brass tablet with the inscription – “IN MEMORY OF FRANK HIND CAPTAIN 1ST BATTALION EAST YORKSHIRE REGT. WHO DIED AT HAURBOURDIN FRANCE 29TH OCTOBER 1914  FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED 20TH OCTOBER 1914 WHILE LEADING HIS MEN IN ACTION ‘WHILST ANY NOBLE DEAD OR NOBLE THOUGHT OF HIS REMAIN HE LIVES’”.

The building is also the holder of several other memorials from redundant churches in Goole.

Former St Paul’s Church (Church of England)

The Vicar of St Paul’s and the Church of England Men’s Society were fundamental in arranging the erection of Goole’s Street Shrines. Additionally within the Church were two wooden shrines and when the church was made redundant in the 1970s these were moved for safe keeping into the crypt of Goole Parish Church (see previous blog article):

1.    John Fillingham Thorp Memorial with the dedication – “TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN F THORPE WHO WAS KILLED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918 GRANT UNTO HIM ETERNAL REST ‘O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE ON HIM IT ABIDETH ALONE BUT IF IT ________FORTH _______ _______WHATEVER LIVETH HIS LIFE SHALL LIVE IT AND WHOEVER HATETH HIM LIFE IN THIS WORLD HE’LL KEEP IT UNTO LIFE ETERNAL”

2.    A wooden Roll of Honour with the dedication – “St Paul’s Goole, War Roll of Fallen 1914-1918 From the Resurrection & the Life saith the Lord – Joseph Appleyard, Edgar Bowles, Edgar Robt. Browne, Ralph E. Browne, John Brunyee, Stanley Brunyee, Wilfred Chappel, Willie Dodson, George Goulden, Claude Gravell, Morris Haigh, Harold Hayton, Alfred Jackson, William James, Percy Jeeves, Carl Johnson, Owen Kendall, C.W. Leighton, Herbet Clarke, Herbert Morritt, Arthur Martin, Sydney Oates, Clement Phillipson, Edward Pratt, George Robinson, Walter J. Short, Alan Smith, Eric G. Smith, Walter Smart, Reginald Steel, Arthur Sykes, Leslie Taylor, Harold Thompson, William B. Verity, Eli Walker, Percy Watson and Walter Whitehead – R.I.P.”

In May 1920 it was announced that two stained glass windows, the first in the church, would be installed in the south of the nave in dedication of the late Reverend and the congregation who gave their life in the war. The dedication of the window was - ‘To the Glory of God and in Grateful Memory of the following men of this congregation who gave their lives in the service of their king and country” – with a list of names including Claude Gravell, Arthur Sykes, Edgar Robert, Ralph E Browne, Stanley Brunyee.

St Mary’s Church (Old Goole) (Church of England)

The original Church housed two memorials and these were later moved into the new St Mary’s Church in Old Goole during the 1930s. When the Church was made redundant in 2008 the shrines were removed and rededicated in Goole Parish Church. They are now located in the North Transept. The two brass tablets contain the dedications:

1.    “IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF HAROLD DOUGHERTY PRIVATE 10TH SERVICE BATT. EAST YORKSHIRE REGT. (HULL PALS) KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 28TH JUNE 1918 AGED 22 YEARS UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS PASS AWAY”

2.    TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF S MARY’S AND ALL SAINTS GOOLE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919 THIS TABLET AND THE SACRED VESSELS IN USE IN THIS CHURCH WERE GIVEN BY THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS - Dick Brant, John Campbell, John Charlesworth Chappell, Harold Dougherty, Ralph Jacques, George Lane, John William Mill, Forbes Morris, Fred Purvis, Horace Purvis, William Sheriff, Robert John Smith, Frank Stephenson, Austin Whitaker, Charlesworth Whiteley - THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.”

(more pictures will be added at a later date of the St Mary's Shrines)

Former All Saints’ Church (Bridge Street)

No known memorials.

North Street Wesleyan Chapel (now Central Methodist Church)

An article in the Goole Times, dated 9th February 1917, announced that a Roll of Honour was erected in the Church. It was intended to be a permanent record of the Great War, the value of which will appreciate as time goes on. In total 79 people were listed on the memorial with 4 making the ‘Great Surrender’. It is described as been a framed ‘inscribed and emblazoned’ roll. The original building was demolished in 1966 and it appears all original shrines and memorials were destroyed with the original Church. The newspaper article details all of the men on the memorial and a full list will be detailed in a separate blog article, or by request.

Boothferry Road Wesleyan Chapel (now Trinity Methodist Church)

Unusually the Methodist Church contains two stained glass memorial windows in the Chancel, which has been previously discussed on the blog.

The dedications on the windows are:

“TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING YOUNG MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-18.”

On the first plaque are listed – “W. Silvester, H. Simms, G. Snead, F. Thurston, E.Vause and J. Vause”.

On the second plaque are listed – “B. Arnold, H. Caukill, W. Hounsley, E. Jackson, F. Kirby and W.R. Raney”.

The Stained Glass memorial replaced an earlier Roll of Honour erected in the church during 1917. The 1917 memorial was dedicated to all those serving from the Church in the armed forces but has since been lost. The memorial, made by a Mr H E Chambers, is described as ‘handsomely designed’ and ‘well executed Roll of Honour’, consisting of a handsome oak frame, with rich gold beading. Only those connected with the church immediately before the war were included on the roll. 46 members of the church were listed and of those six were marked with a long gilt cross to mark the giving of their lives.

With the exception of B. Arnold and E. Jackson all those listed on the later memorial are also noted on the 1917 Roll of Honour. Those named on the Roll of Honour additionally to those on the stained glass were noted in the Goole Times newspaper –

E. Arnold, L. Butler, Campbell, A Davidson, H. Diamond, H. Dixon, F. Evans, P Flowers, T Gale, T Green, A Heunsley, C Hobson, W Jackson, P Joyner, OW Kelsey, G N Lidguard, P Lundy, I Mellor, A Phillipson, E Phillipson, W Ramsbottom, A R Raney, G. Rushby, F Schofield, H Simms, H Sinclair, G Snead, R Snead, R Sykes, A.Vause, W Vause, H Ward, T Ward, S Weatherill, F Wilson, G Yeoman, J Yeoman.

           

Former Couper Street Wesleyan Chapel

The building was demolished in the 1930s and there is no record of any memorials.

Former Carlisle Terrace Primitive Methodist Church

The original church building was demolished and replaced in the 1960s and it appears that none of the original fixtures and fittings were transferred to the new building. However a memorial taking the form of a simple mural tablet of white marble on a grey marble background was announced in September 1921, with the inscription:

“1914-1919, TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN TREASURED MEMERY OF THE MEN OF THIS CHURCH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR – ROYCE HALL, GEORGE W WHITING, STEPHEN ANDREWS, GEORGE W FIELDER, GEORGE ROBINSON, SIDNEY ROATES, WILFRED SMITH, CHARLES MILNERS, JOHN W COBB, ALBERT PARTINGTON, SAM WILLIAMSON, GEORGE W FIELDER, ERNEST COWLING, WILLIAM H DUCKER AND GOERGE W CARR – ‘FAITHFULL UNTO DEATH’”.

Former Beulah Primitive Methodist Chapel

The building was demolished in the 1990s and there is no record of any memorials.

Former Dunhill Road Primitive Methodist Mission Church

There are no known memorials in the former Church. 

Former United Free Methodist Church (Boothferry Road)

There are no known memorials within the Church which was demolished in the 1960s.

Former St Thomas’ Catholic Church

In October 1919 it was announced that two stained glass windows were to be installed in the chancel of the church. The cross and anchor represent the armed services and the navy.

The dedication on the windows are:  

“IN MEMORY OF THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF THIS CONGREGATION”

"WHO HAVE FALLEN IN THE WAR 1914-1919 REQUIESTANT IN PACE”

With thanks to Justin Lancaster for the pictures.

St Joseph’s Church (Catholic)

Local historian Carol Howard has provided photographs of a Roll of Honour created for the Church with the dedication – ‘Roll of Honour Soldiers and Sailors’. Interestingly the names originally appear to have been printed onto the Roll and the dates of death added by hand later. More interesting is that the names of several victims of the Goole Zeppelin Raid have been added to the memorial. The list of names includes – Andrews, John (11.12.17); Bateman Thos. W. (17.4.16); Canon Thos. (’18); Carabine John (18.4.18); Carroll, Frank (9.9.18); Clark, Ernest (17.9.14); Creamer, William (30.3.16); Ford, Frank (3.8.17), Ganley, Wilfred (30.12.18), Gavin, Thomas (1917); Gibbons, Thomas (17.3.17); Gordon, John (23.6.15); Murphy, Frank (8.5.16); Hagan, Edward (8.17); Hagan, Ernest (17); Heanan, Edward (17.1.17); Jackson, Abraham (8.5.17); Kelly Bernard (3.7.16); Kelly, Thos. John (4.9.16); McDermott, James (5.7.16); McGivern, Edward (3.5.16); Morrisroe, Martin (3.3.18); Pike Senior, Thomas (1917); Pike Junior, Thomas (1917); Robinson, Alexander (20.7.18); Robinson, James (18.9.14); Robinson, Peter (3.3.16); Tighe, William (1918); Wakes (26.1.18); Carey, William (18); Quinlan, James (1918)

Victims of the air raid – Carol, James (9.8.15); Carol, Mary Ellen (9.8.15); and their two children. The scroll is signed by Chas Ives.

With thanks for Carol Howard for the picture of the Roll of Honour.

Salvation Army

The Goole Times note that the Salvation Army created a Roll of Honour in November 1917. The roll of honour is described as an “illuminated roll in a handsome frame” with the following names –

Herbert Lee, J Scott, J.W. England, Arthur England, W R Barlow, S Hawksworth, G Goulders, Tom Rutter, Charles Croucher, William Edbury, Daniel Fleet, J Croucher, William Earl, Thomas Earl, Arthur Middleton, George England, F Rutter, John Wm. Markham, Wm. Grasby, John Lovell, Fred Acaster, Leo Armstrong, Willie Taylor, Thomas Taylor, Walter Hebden, Isaac Hebden, Benjamin Smithson, Chas. Smithson, Albert Hall, Chas. Burkitt, G. Burkitt, Ernest Sweeting, Wm. Sweeting, Arthur Parker, George Lovell, Stephen Lee, John George, Alfred Gillyon, Albert Gillyon, Wm Armstrong, Harold Mileham, Leonard Lovell, Milson Birkett, Walter Taylor, John _, Benjamin Miller, Thoms. Henry Cross, Albert Dickens, Herbert Raywood, Stanley Spencer, H G Perry, James Mann, G W Miller, Fred Bristow, Willie Spencer and H H Spainton. The names marked with a cross to indicate the supreme sacrifice are G Goulden, Wm, Sweeting, Albert Gillyon, Wm. Armstrong, John W Markham and Wm. Grosby.

The current location of the Roll of Honour is unknown.  

Former Congregational Church (Christ Church) (North Street)

A local historian has in their collection, for safe keeping, a memorial removed from former Church listing men who attended the Sunday School prior to the First World War. It is described as a framed with glass and the scroll is in colour

A memorial dedicated to the Mercantile for the First and Second World Wars was removed from the Church when it became redundant and relocated in the Seaman’s Association Memorial on Lock Hill. The memorial includes the following Merchant Seamen who gave their lives in the First Word War - G. Alcock, H. Bryars, L. Colbridge, J. Eldin, N. Haigh, J.H. Halsall, P. Hubbard, G. Jepson, J. Jepson, C.H. Lill, R. Linsey, J.D. Petty, T.E. Rorrison, W. Rust, W. Smart, F. Sutherby, H. Terry, M.M. Wadsworth, T. Watson, F. White and A.W. Wright. 

Conclusion

In conclusion the Church was at the forefront of commemoration in the town and the religious connotations are evident in the type of memorial and wording of the dedications. Sadly only around half of the memorials have survived but more fortunately other have been saved by other Churches and individuals, and paper records do survive in the Goole Times newspaper.

Part two in the series will examine memorials erected around the town and those by public and private organisations.

Mr Levy's War Diary

As a common rule of research I have found that through practice it is more often than not that you find a more interesting story by accident whilst looking for other things. This is the case in the story of a Mr Albert Thomas Levy. Whilst searching through the 1973 edition of the Goole Times I happened to come across an article referring to a Goole World War Diary belonging to the former Goole resident and soldier Mr Levy.

Having checked the Group’s records Mr Levy is a new name to those that served in the First World War and is a new addition to the Goole men who won a gallantry award.

Unfortunately the introduction to the article which details Mr Levy’s life is partially illegible but it is still possible to read a few details and further details are provided in a follow up article by his daughter, Mrs D L Philpott (who was living at 81 Western Road, Goole at the time).

Not a Goole native Mr Levy was born in London in September 1887 and was educated at the St John and All Saints School, Lambeth. He is described by his daughter as a ‘great man’ and almost self-educated. Whilst a young man living in London Mr Levy worked as a coach man (groom) for a Lady who gave him money each week to attend medical school. His occupation is also noted as an apprentice printer.  His mother needing the money Mr Levy joined the Royal Army Medical Corp, using his medical knowledge, serving between 1904 and 1909.

Mr Levy married his wife Maud in 1907 and moved to Goole after leaving the army. He is noted as living at 40 Ellen’s View on the 1911 Census. In total Mr Levy had six children and later lived at 1 Pasture Road. His occupation was a railway coal shunt horse driver.

At the outbreak of war Mr Levy rejoined Royal Army Medical Corp as an army reserve, and was awarded the Military Medal as a Private (Acting Corporal) A. Levy “for bravery in the field”, while serving with the 8th Field Regiment.

Although copies of the citation of the Military Medal awards for service during the 1914-1918 war are no longer available, Mr Levy’s family believed, through the little he told them that Mr Levy won the for rescuing wounded officers and men, and an account of this in provided within the diary.

Mr Levy War service records have not survived and the only remaining documentation are his Medal Card and the extracts of his First World War diary. The medal card shows Mr Arthur T Levy (19803) served in the RAMC 8/F AMB and was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914 Star with Clasp and Rose, the date where in 20.08.1914.

Mr Levy died in 1970 and the diary was found among his processions by his daughters. The diary ‘which tells the [story] of the final year of the First World War through the eyes of a Military Medal hold has been _  _ son Mr Trevor M _ of 3 Kennedy [Drive], Goole’ is transcribed in full from the Goole Times entry of March 1973:

The diary opens at January 28, 1918, when “Germans bombed around the camp for about four hours. No casualties.” For the next few days, however, the bombing continued and by February 13 Mr Levy was “sweating on the top line for leave.”

The leave came on February 16 when Mr Levy started his journey home to Goole. In London he was “nearly caught by pieces of bomb dropped outside St Pancras station in front of the Midland Hotel,” but on February 18 he made it to Goole.

Mr Levy returned to Boisleux on March 5, “everything just as I left,” and two days later he left for Menin.

For the next two weeks – this was the height of the Germans’ last offensive if the war – the village was bombed heavily and on March 21 he wrote “Pte Hodges killed, Ptes Murray, Hutchinson and Boffon wounded. More band news at midday – Ptes Ford, Cavanagh, Blake, Beard, Johnston, Morton, Park, South, all killed. A great deal of wounded coming through.”

On March 22 the order to “leave everything and clear out top of the hill” came. A dressing station was set up in some Nissen huts at Bory Bequerel.

After a few days of sleepless nights in the trenches, heavy shelling and more wounded,  Mr Levy wrote “I expect we shall get bumped out of this place same as last”. They were.

The next couple of weeks were spent marching “with water in my boots” through Bellacourt, St Leger, Auckel, Amezin and Bethine where he “got a touch of gas.”

“I was vomiting all the time while I was carrying stretcher cases down to the car. I told the orderly to send relief for me. My eyes were very sore, and there was a burning sensation in my chest.”

April, May and June were quiet months with “nothing of importance happening,” and “no shelling around the villages” but on July 2 “thing are getting warm again.”

A week later he wrote “Fritz is still dropping bombs on the villages behind the line. Things are getting lively around here. Several shells burst near the school, one in the next yard. It seemed as if it dropped on the school itself, that makes two he has dropped almost in the same place. If he drops one a bit short and five yards to the right it will catch the dressing room.”

From July 23 to 31 it was “just about the same old racket. Getting tired of this place. Fritz still shells around the village and I expect we shall catch it before long.”

Before long, however, they moved out and marched through Gricourt where “we had a cricket match and got beat,” and through Warlingcourt, Warluzel, Saulty (?) and Doutchy to Ayette.”

After three weeks’ stay dressing stations around Ayette Mr Levy was “on the move again,” and on September 11 he noticed “the ground is nothing but a mass of holes.”

Five days later they arrived at Beaumetz les Cambrai whey they “found some huts that had been left by the Germans” and opened one of the huts as a walking wounded post.

On September 19 “I have had a nice birthday present – told that I have been awarded the M.M. for the August 21 stunt.

The August 21 stunt which took place at Douchy is described by Mr Levy in great detail. “At Douchy stopped in a trench until the barrage opened up. Barrage started at 4-30 a.m. We left the trench at 5 a.m for Ayette and formed a dressing station in a sunken road.

“At 6-30 a.m we were ordered to take three men up to the crossroads with some shell dressings. Fixed several up. Lt-Col Hopgood and Major Walters of 143 F.A. have got wounded on the corner 20 yards from our shell hole. Fixed him up and got away.

“Had orders to shift further down the road. Stopped in a machine gun emplacement at the side of the road. Still fixing the wounded up. Getting warm again. Shelling us with pip-squeaks and shrapnel.

“9 a.m. Artillery bringing their guns up to new position. They are out of range at the old one. Several men wounded on the road and two horses killed.

“2 p.m. Got relieved by three men, went back for some food. During the barrage at 5 a.m. about 40 whippet tanks passed us on the road up. It was a very misty morning, and it did not clear until after 8 a.m. One of the big supply tanks caught fire and burnt for hours.”

There is this entry for August 21:

“Very busy night clearing up the battlefield. Plenty of German dead and wounded. Lots of them been four and five days in their dugouts wounded. Several of them compound fractures, most of them have gangrene.

“The last entry in the diary is on November 11 when told to return to billets as the Armistice has been agreed upon – it starts at 11 a.m. today.”

From the extracts given the article presents a remarkable day by day account from a personal perspective of the final year of the First World War. The diary is also valuable as it provides detailed locations of where the RAMC were stationed in France, down to the exact school yard. The detailed account showed that Mr Levy was subject to daily bombing and bombardment at the front and came very close to the bombing London. The private account lists the men that were killed and wounded around him and the rapid retreat made as a result of the March offensive, which very nearly broke the British lines. The personalised account demonstrates the effects of gas, the use of tanks and also describes the heroics demonstrated by Mr Levy, which resulted in the awarding of the Military Medal. The diary ended on the 11th November with just a small entry which reflects the relief of all those serving on the Western Front.

It was noted in the article that Mrs Philpott was to present the diary to the Garside collection in Goole library. However there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the diary made its way into the collection and its current location is sadly unknown.

“Made in Germany” – Goole’s Mercantile Marine Memorial

On the Group’s blog much has been written about Goole’s Street Roll of Honours but as yet no explanation has been made for the formation of the memorial for the Mercantile Marine. The creation of the Mercantile Marine memorial is itself an interesting subject as it demonstrates the politics and society of the period. The first point of note is that the creation of a separate shrine for the Mercantile Marines marks a clear distinction between those serving in the Armed Services and those serving in a volunteer capacity. Secondly the creation of shrine demonstrates a clear hatred of the German nation in 1918, and that this ultimately led to the saga of “Made in Germany”.  

The origins of the Mercantile Marine memorial lay in the creation of the Goole Street Shrines. In February 1917 it was decided by the Goole Church of England Men’s Society to create “Rolls of Honour” for the men and women of Goole serving in the Navy or Army. The criteria for those to be included upon the Rolls, and indeed their creation, created much debate within the town. The main point of argument was whether to include the Mercantile Marine, and also who had the idea first. Despite letters in favour of including the Men, and Women, of the Merchant Navy the Men’s Society preferred to include only those men and women serving in mine sweepers, transport (in uniform), army, navy and army nurses. It was suggested that a separate memorial be created for the Mercantile Marine. The debate was thrown open to the public with letters published in the Goole Times and Goole Journal.

The debate continued into March 1917 when the Reverend Curzon intervened to state that there was “no intention of denying the honour to any man – or woman – who in these days of self-sacrifice has responded to the call of honour” and that Goole should rightly be proud of the Merchant Seaman. The Reverend further demonstrated a common religious theme reported throughout the First World War of a religious revival by stating that the “desire to the remembered in the prayers of the town, is surely a striking instance of the recovery of prayer”.  Reverend Curzon concluded that it must be considered how the Merchant Marine could be included. In contrast a further letter regretted the tone expressed and declared that Street ‘shrines’ were first suggested by the workers in connection with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association, and  before the idea was completely carried out, the vicar and the members of the Church of England Men’s Society decided to take it up. Unfortunately there is no surviving documentary evidence to confirm these allegations. Ultimately it was decided that the Mercantile Memorial would be honoured on a separate memorial.

The decision to exclude the Mercantile Marine demonstrates the strict social politics of the period. Within Society there was a clear hierarchy defined by your occupation during a period of war. It was common for men out of Uniform to be accosted in the street and as a result of many embarrassing scenes badges for wounded men, men in reserved occupations and those who had been called up but were yet to be enrolled were issued. Even for the men and women serving within the armed forces or within essential Civilian roles there was much stigma from the general public for those who were seen to be “not doing their bit” or having “a cushy number”. Quite clearly in Goole there was a division made by the town’s people for those serving for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and the civilians in the Mercantile Marine.

Whilst the names for the Street Rolls of Honour were being gathered throughout March and April of 1917 the names of the Mercantile Marine were also collected. The erection of a Merchant Marine memorial would however take a further year with the next reference to the Shrine in a Goole Time’s article dated 28th June 1918. The article announced that the shrine had be organised by the Church of England Men’s Association and that it had been erected. A description of the Shrine was provided.

The erection of the Shrine was to lead to near riots within the town. On 29th June 1918 [The Daily Mail] it was reported that “an outbreak of public feeling of a remarkable character” occurred at Goole yesterday. Whilst in the course of erection it was noticed that the centre section, which contained a picture of Jesus at the Sea at Galtree, was embossed with the mark of a Berlin photographic company. This caused resentment within the town and upon this being brought to the attention of the Vicar of Goole it was decided to remove the picture. When the picture was not removed it was reported that during the following evening a large crowd gathered around the memorial, which made threats. Mr Fred Brunyee, noted as a prominent townsman, appealed to the crowd and it was decided that the crowd would wait till the following morning to remove the “Made in Germany” picture. Without the intervention Mr Brunyee the memorial may have been damaged.  The next morning the Vicar instructed the removal of the picture. The actions of the crowd show a clear resentment of the German nation after the First World War perhaps invoked by the association of a “German” picture with the British War dead.

The Goole Times, reporting a week later, provides further details of the affair which adds a humorous twist. One of the chief agitators against the shrine visit the Vicar of Goole on the Saturday evening and having noted the Vicar’s remarks on the difficulty of finding an appropriate replacement for the banned picture said that a friend of his had a collection of pictures which he thought might be suitable. Unfortunately upon the Vicar examining the pictures it was discovered that everyone one of them bore the stamp of the Berlin Company! As the article detailed it was the Vicar who had made the original choice of image and he stated that there was a great difficulty in finding a suitable image as the majority of religious images were printed in Germany.

On the Sunday morning a further Goole resident offered the Vicar an illustration from a book which he had collected as a youth. The Vicar, expressing thanks, declined the offer of the illustration not wishing to spoil the man’s relished book by removing the picture. The matter of the banned illustration was resolved by the Church of England Men’s Society who resolved that a Red Ensign, the flag of the Mercantile Marine, would be painted on to the Shrine.

The official unveiling of the shrine took place on the 6th July with a service by the Reverend Curzon. The Church of England Men’s Society and the Goole Sea Scouts were present. The memorial was draped with a Red Ensign and an Anchor formed of laurel leaves was place on the cross. The Reverend sought to made amends for the mistaken image and passed on his deepest apologies. In addition Mr Winterbottom, Steamship Manager of the Lancashire and York Railway (Goole Steam Shipping Co), considered head of the local Marine, gave an address where he marked the devotion of the men of the Mercantile marine. Further tributes were paid to the Men of the Mercantile Marine.

Sadly the Memorial is another of Goole’s missing shrines and as no picture survives only a written description can be portrayed. It is described as a structure of simple design made of polished teak, surmounted by a cross. Its position is described as commanding the attention of all those who pass it. It consisted of three glass panels, which contained the names of nearly 800 serving men, in alphabetical order. In the centre was a list of 37 men who had made the ‘Supreme Sacrifice’ marked with the inscription “Faithfull unto death”. Above the rolls were panels with the announcement and extracts from Psalm CXIII in gold lettering - “Men of the Mercantile Marine from the Parish of Goole who served their country on the high seas during the Great War” and “They that go down in their ships and occupy their business in great waters, these men see the works of the Lord and His Wonders in the deep”. Originally at the top and centre of the panel was ‘a beautifully finished print depicting Jesus and His Disciples on the Sea of Galtree’, later to be replaced by the Red Ensign.  A flower bowl and permanent flower guard were provided close by. The location of the memorial is described as being just inside the Railway Station wall facing Boothferry Road. The lettering was executed by Mr Alfred Haigh, construction was undertaken by Messrs S.R. and T. Kelsey and the Goole Times printed the names.

The creation of the Mercantile Marine memorial demonstrates the great need to commemorate the men and women who had served in the Armed Forces and within a Civilian capacity throughout the First World War. However the creation of the shrine also demonstrates the divisions within society and the politics and debates of the period. The shrine further demonstrates the culture of hatred created throughout the war against the German nation and the creation of a patriotic society. The sense of farce is also evident but above all the need to commemorate the men and women of Mercantile Marine and the men and woman that served is truly demonstrated.

RAWCLIFFE WAR MEMORIAL

Our latest blog article is contributed by Group member Alan Dodsworth, with thanks:

I have always been drawn to Cenotaphs or Memorials in towns and villages as I have travelled the UK and, no matter where our home has been, we have always tried to attend some form of Remembrance Day service. In both cases it is the seemingly endless lists of the names of those making ‘the ultimate sacrifice’, particularly associated with WW1, that strike a chord. I do feel very strongly that the very least we can do is ‘remember’ them once a year.

But who is it that we are ‘remembering’? What did they do before the war? Why did they join up? Where and with whom did they serve? Who else in the family was involved? What was the impact on those left behind? What would they have accomplished if they had survived? These are all questions that run through my mind as the names are read out and we stand facing the Memorial.

Like most families in the country WW1 touched ours. Both my mum and dad lost an Uncle and my wife’s Grandfather served in Mesopotamia. The family impact was drawn into sharp relief last year as we accompanied my parents on a poignent commemorative trip to Ypres and Arras. Each Memorial carries one of their names – among the names of the many thousands with no known grave. With the power of the internet, background research before the trip yielded amazing information, previously unknown by the family. This included that my mum’s grandfather and a future Uncle had both been prisoners of war. Information undiscovered until 95 years after the event.

With the trip last year still in mind the recent article in the Goole Times about the Goole WW1 Research Group attracted me to their last meeting to find out what activity was taking place as we approach the Centenary of the start of WW1 in August next year.

Having lived in Rawcliffe for the last 12 years my particular interest was in the 56 names on the Cenotaph between Rawcliffe and Rawcliffe Bridge and on the plaque in St James Church. My thought being that a bit more information about each name, answering some of the questions posed above, could be included in a folder along with a photo, if one can be found, to be available for those with an interest.

I have no doubt that others in the Village may have done a similar exercise previously or have unrecorded knowledge of individual family members that, when identified, can be added to the knowledge bank.

Alongside the 56 names on the memorial there is a blank space where a name has been removed. This name has been identified, by comparing the list on the order of service for the Unveiling and Dedication of the War Memorial on 15^th October 1921 with the remaining names, as James Shenton. As yet no explanation for this ‘removal’ has been found. Can you help?

Of those named, 47 have ‘base’ data collated into a spreadsheet, from CWGC data, Service records and Census data that links them with Rawcliffe or Rawcliffe Bridge. The Goole Times Almanak and Roll of Honour have helped with this research in several instances. The 9 other names have proved to be more difficult to pinpoint from the data available so far and the research continues.

Goole Times publications from the beginning of the War are now being reviewed for mentions of Rawcliffe people, which are proving quite fruitful but will take some time owing to the many other distractions in the publications.

Points of interest to date:

From internet links I discovered that a ‘Roll of Honour’ for those from both Villages serving in the War was drawn up and mounted in the Church. It is still present to this day in its frame on the back wall. Some 337 names are recorded on it, including 12 ladies. This list shows the tremendous ‘Call of Duty’ felt by some families locally to the war effort. A Rawcliffe Patriotic Committee was formed to maintain this Roll of Honour in April 1915 at which point 67 names were entitled to be recorded.

A ‘Scroll of Honour’ started in the Rawcliffe School at the end of 1914 for those past pupils now serving appears to be an ongoing activity recorded in the Goole Times. Eighteen names were included in the original Goole Times article and by 22^nd January 1915 had reached 24, although 4 of these names have not been found and may be in the damaged parts of or missing copies of the paper around that time.

The number of locals employed at the Papermill in Rawcliffe Bridge who went on to serve were vast. Unsurprisingly farming and farm labourers numbered highly in those serving but other occupations included employees of the Aire and Calder Navigation and shop keepers.

Most of those who died were Infantry men, with the most common Regiment being the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI). Very few Service Records appear to exist for those in the KOYLI’s.

As well as final resting places including the UK (4), France (24) and Belgium (15) there are Rawcliffe people from WW1 buried in Kenya, Israel and Palestine, Iraq, Turkey, Greece and Italy.

Two Captains, a Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant feature in those killed, along with a Company Serjeant Major, Serjeant, three Corporals and a couple of Lance Corporals.

The first death was in April 1915 and the last in April 1920 with 1917 seeing 21 deaths.

Finally a plea that if you have any information that will help this or similar research going on for the names on the Goole Cenotaph – please get in touch.

Alan Dodsworth

Portrait Window Memorials

On the Imperial War Museum’s blogging service there was a recent post which was of interest to the Goole First World War Research Group. The subject in question was that of Portrait Window Memorials.

An enquiry to the Imperial War Museum asked how rare it was for the portrait of an individual casualty to be memorialised in a stained glass window. The answer given was that whilst the names of the fallen was the usual focus of commemoration on memorials some memorials do include a portrait of the dead and stained glass windows are a particularly expressive, and expensive, example of this. The Imperial War Museum has 11 definite examples of Portrait windows. The original response can be found using the link - http://ukniwm.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/portrait-window-memorials/. One such example of a Portrait window can be found in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Goole.  

The dedication on the window reads as:

“IN MEMORY OF A GALLANT SON LEIUTENANT ERNEST CONWAY-LANSDALE DIED IN FRANCE SEP 30TH 1916 ERECTED BY HIS LOVING PARENTS”

The window depicts Lieutenant Conway-Lansdale in an Officer’s army uniform and above his head the emblem of the Royal Flying Corp and a RFC aeroplane. Christ is shown kneeling before the Lieutenant and above this Angels.  The bottom of the image depicts an Angel flying over a field of graves with a look of despair.

Lieutenant Conway-Lansdale was a member of the Lancashire Regiment and later became attached to the Royal Flying Corp, serving in 11 Squadron. The Lieutenant is recorded as being shot down by the Barron Von Richthofen (The Red Baron) and then possibly died whilst a Prisoner of War. Born in Goole he was the elder son of Captain E. E. Lansdale, A.S.C. of Hawthorn Villas, The Grove, Ilkley.