Six years ago in November 2018, to mark the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day ending the Great War (1914-1918), Hedon’s Armistice War Memorial was unveiled for the first time to crowds on Market Hill. Following that event, two days later, the Memorial was installed at its current location on Farrand Road mount near the Jubilee Garden.
This article published at the time in the Holderness Gazette, describes those events.
Hundreds gathered at Hedon’s Market Hill on Sunday night (November 11 2018) to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice of the Great War in 1918. The highlight was the unveiling of the Armistice centenary war memorial paid for by public donations by individuals and community groups, to remember those from the town who served in the war.
Memorial Designer: Terry West (left). Made by Riley Engineering Ltd Steel Fabrication (Dave Riley (right)) and WP Everingham & Sons Monumental Masons (Neil Everingham (right)). There was a campaign to raise money from the public and community groups by the Hedon Armistice Centenary War Memorial group comprising Hedon Town Council, Hedon & District Churches Together, the Royal British Legion, Hedon Women’s Institute, Hedon Museum and the help of Hedon Mixed Voice Choir and both Hedon and Inmans Primary schools. Stephen Senior a serving British soldier from Hedon unveiled the monument.
Sunday, November 11 2018 – the unveiling of War Memorial:
The striking figure of a silhouetted soldier kneeling in front of poppies, the new Armistice War Memorial, was unveiled by a currently serving soldier from the town: Steve Senior from the 42 Engineers, Royal Engineers, based at RAF Wyton. Currently a Craftsman, CFN Senior is being promoted to Lance Corporal in January.
The memorial proved very popular, with people queuing up to photograph it. It was designed by Hedon Councillor, Terry West, who when developing the concept, asked a friend of his, Paul Crisp, to dress up in a World War 1 uniform and strike what became the pose for the sculpture.
The weathered-steel figure was crafted by Riley Engineering Ltd Steel Fabrication, and WP Everingham & Sons Monumental Masons made the granite base and engraving.
The monument was loaded onto a truck for the Market Hill unveiling but eventually will be located at its permanent site on a small hill behind Jubilee Gardens on the New (Hull) Road entrance into the town.
Entertainment at Market Hill was provided by choirs from Inmans Primary and Hedon Primary Schools. And then, along with over 1,000 other places across the country, the Hedon Beacon was lit casting a warming glow over the monument and gathered crowd. The last post was played by a bugler, an officer, from the Humberside & South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force.
Armistice Remembrance Concert:
The commemoration continued inside St. Augustine’s Church with a concert that included the longest public performance, to date, of Hedon’s Town Handbell Ringers. The Hedon Mixed Voice Choir sang a medley of songs popular during World War 1, as did a specially convened choir of Hedon councillors and ex-councillors. With several readings taking place including one by new Methodist Minister Tom Parker, many using the words of people from the war, it was, at times, a very emotional experience. The formal part of the evening finished with a communal singing of William Blake’s classic “Jerusalem”.
Installation at Farrand Road/New Road mount:
Six years ago today (13 November 2018) the Memorial was installed at its current location on the mount at Farrand Road.
On the group photo are (Left) David Riley of Riley Engineering Ltd (who made the soldier), and (Right) Neal Everingham of WP Everingham & Sons Monumental Masons made the granite base and decorative engraving.
