Carter Postcard Collection

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Monday 04 April 1921 (page 6) reported: 'Shaldon's WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED AND DEDICATED. On Saturday afternoon, in brilliant sunshine, the war memorial at Shaldon was unveiled. Headed by the Teignmouth Town Band, a procession of Coastguards, Service men, the R.F.A. Territorials (under Major Dennis.. R.A.), St. John Ambulance, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and school-children, marched to the Green, where the memorial was unveiled by Brigadier-General Lamotte, C.M.G., Dunesk, Teignmouth. The General was supported by Major Walker Leigh (late Royal Air force), Mr. W. M. Bird, J.P. (Chairman and Hon. Treasurer of the War Memorial Committee) presided at the opening of the proceedings. Mr. G. H. Ashwell acted as director of ceremonies. The memorial, a clock tower, designed voluntarily by Mr. F. W. Knight, Surveyor to the Teignmouth Urban Council, was dedicated by Rev. H. C. Hunter, curate of Shaldon. Mr. Bird said the tower could not have been built but for the very great assistance of a well-known resident, Mr. T. Madge, who was, unfortunately, too ill to attend. Ever since there had been talk of a memorial the proceedings had been thoroughly democratic. This was as it should be. Brig.-Gen. Lamotte spoke of the heroism of men and women during the war, and the part played by children in carrying on work at home. At the front men endured hardships with cheerfulness, knowing that they were fighting for the right, and that, the end. God would give them the victory. The gallantry displayed had not been surpassed in any other war, and there were no deeds more glorious than those accomplished by the men of the Devonshire Regt. The memorial would remind all of the magnificent example of the men of Shaldon. The memorial having been unveiled, the clock was set going by Mr. G. Rossiter. Mr. Bird said he had been asked to address the school children. He asked them to adopt three precepts through life, viz.: "Love thy neighbour: fear God; honour the King." If they bore this in mind they would be worthy citizens of the greatest Empire the world had ever seen. Prayers were offered by the Revs. H. Arnaud Scott and S. J. Thorpe (Baptist), after which the hymn, "O God, our help in ages past," was sung. The "Last Post " was sounded by Mr. Robbins (conductor of the Town Band). The turret clock is a splendid example of English workmanship, and has been made to Mr. Rossiter's specifications. It will go the full seven days with one winding. The two clocks have been specially modelled, and particular attention has been paid to the figuring and colouring in order that they harmonise with the tower, and be distinctly seen. The tower is 19 feet high, and is on a suitable base of brickwork with Bathstone dressings. Two granite tablets are affixed, one side bearing the names of the 20 residents who made the great sacrifice, and the other bearing the following inscription: "This memorial was erected by the inhabitants to commemorate the victorious ending of the Great War, 1914-1919, and in grateful memory of the men who gave lives for their country. Dulce et Decorum est pro Patria mori." (It is sweet and honourable to die for one's country.) Numerous floral tributes were laid at the base at the conclusion of the ceremony'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000511/19210404/050/0006

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1420327?section=official-list-entry

Express and Echo - Saturday 25 March 1939 (page 11) reported: 'SHALDON WAR MEMORIAL CLOCK Public Meeting Decisions Mr. H. G. Jackman presided over a public meeting in connection with Shaldon War Memorial clock. Regarding the question of the upkeep of the clock, the chairman said since its erection all expense had been borne by the late Sir. W. M. Bird and his widow. The time had come when the responsibility must be taken on other shoulders since Mrs. Bird asked that that might be done. The clock had been stopped since December and “at last the British Legion had decided to make a move and Mr. F. Wood was instrumental in obtaining the money and employing Mr. Rossiter to commence the work." There appeared to Mr. Jackson be two courses open after the clock was repaired - to elect a committee responsible, or to hand it to the Teignmouth Council. Capt. Kirkwood was asked to explain the action of the British Legion, and he said that a committee of five was formed to obtain the £11 4s. needed and to put the clock in order. Had no objections been raised the clock would have been repaired by Easter. Mr. A. R. Marsh (secretary of the branch) read the minutes of two Legion meetings, but refused to disclose the names of the committee appointed to collect for the repairs. After long discussion it was agreed that the British Legion should repair the clock. Mr. Jackman proposed that the most satisfactory plan would to hand the clock to the Council, and this was carried unanimously'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001061/19390325/243/0011

Western Times - Friday 05 December 1947 (page 8) reported: 'Shaldon War Memorial. A proposal by Shaldon British Legion to erect an additional tablet in front of the plinth of Shaldon war memorial and to instal neon lighting below the clock faces was approved by Teignmouth Urban Council on Tuesday. The Council agreed to accept responsibility for the maintenance of the lighting apart from which they were not asked to bear any of the cost'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000265/19471205/084/0008

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/98212