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North
Yorkshire
War Memorials, - Thornaby Cemetery (The Erimus Memorial) |
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The Erimus Memorial in Thornaby Cemetery.
(Photo : Colin Appleby, <colinapp@hotmail.com>. Website, http://www.colinappleby.com.)
The following story on the Erimus Memorial was published by the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette on 24 July 2006;-
"For years the Erimus Stone, which bears the names of six men from a close-knit Thornaby community who died in the First World War, lay forgotten in Thornaby cemetery.
But following a four-year project, the men, who all lived in Erimus Terrace, have been given a fitting final resting place with the unveiling of a memorial wall that features both the original stone and a plaque explaining its history.
Alderman Ken Craggs, 83, who lived on Erimus Street before it was demolished in 1963, said: "It was a very close-knit community and after the war they honoured their heroes by adding their names to a stone. But just before the street was demolished it was moved to the cemetery, but became forgotten.
The stone was uncovered by Ronnie Butterworth, chairman of Thornaby Branch of the Royal British Legion.
It carries the names of each of the six men who died in battles including the Somme and Jutland.
Mr Butterworth said: "I just sort of stumbled across it one day. It was lying on the floor and all overgrown. But these men deserved better than that."
A campaign was launched to make a suitable memorial to house the Italian marble tablet.
Thanks to the work of a group of current and former ward councillors with the backing of Thornaby Town Council and Stockton Council, the memorial wall was created.
The tribute was unveiled by Councillor Pat Large, Mayor of Thornaby. She said:
"The memorial wall is a fitting final resting place for the Erimus Stone
and will allow people to pay respect to these men who sacrificed their lives
for their country."
The names on the Memorial are;-
Private J R Donnison, 2nd Yorkshire Regt.
Stoker A Wright, H M S Carribean
Stoker J R Sharp, H M S Queen Mary
Private J G Wales, 9th Yorkshire Regt.
Private T Munroe, DLI
Private W Munroe, DLI
Private John Richard Donnison. 3/7810. 2nd Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Richard and Amy Donnison, of 9, Erimus Terrace,
Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorks. Killed 12 March 1915. Aged 20.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Thornaby-on-Tees.
Commemorated Panel 12, Le Touret Memorial.
Private John George Wales. 28551. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
Son of William and Sarah Ellen Wales, of 40, Charles St., Redcar, Yorks. Killed
1 October 1917. Aged 20.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Buried TYNE COT CEMETERY.
The Erimus Memorial - 1
(Photo : Colin Appleby, <colinapp@hotmail.com>. Website, http://www.colinappleby.com.)
The Erimus Memorial - 2
(Photo : Colin Appleby, <colinapp@hotmail.com>. Website, http://www.colinappleby.com.)
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