Nottingham Journal, Monday 28th February 1921 (page 5) reported: 'HUCKNALL’S MEMORIAL. URBAN COUNCIL'S QUANDARY AS TO SITE. Though Hucknall has already a number of war memorials in places of worship, a town memorial has not yet been set up, although there is ,£1,100 available for the project. Since the scheme was launched nearly two yean ago, it has passed through many vicissitudes. Opinion was chiefly divided at first between a local hospital, or help to the larger institution at Nottingham, and a cenotaph. At length the latter was selected as the means of perpetuating the memory of the sacrifices made by the 270 lads from the town, and the site chosen by the committee, and sanctioned by the Urban District Council, was the market place. Mr. Cecil Howitt prepared an attractive plan, and tenders were sought with the view of making headway in the near future. A bombshell has now descended upon the proposal. The travelling salesmen who visit the market place each week are now so numerous that they require all the area of the spacious market. Of course, this means more revenue for the District Council, who feel they could not convince the Ministry that the space is no longer needed for the purposes of a public market. The committee are thus in a quandary, and are calling a meeting of townspeople for a mandate to the best method of procedure. Titchfield Park is favoured as a suitable place in some quarters, but as it is on the outskirts of the town a more central site is desired by others. Such a vacant one is not easy to find. Why not, it is asked, demolish some eyesore and effect an all-round improvement? https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001897/19210228/106/0005

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 29 April 1922 (page 2) reported: 'START AT LAST. FOUNDATION STONE LAYING OF HUCKNALL MEMORIAL. After a discussion which originated three months after the armistice, a start was this afternoon made in connection with the town war memorial for Hucknall, the foundation stone of a cenotaph being laid in the new Titchfield Park. Nearby will be panels recording the names of Hucknall's fallen heroes, of whom there are nearly 300, including some two dozen who have died since the cessation of hostilities through the effects of the conflict. The cost of the scheme will, it is expected, total £1,400, towards which £260 has yet to be raised. The ex-soldiers, along with citizens, formed a procession on the Market-place and marched to the park, accompanied by the soldiers' band. On reaching the site the hymn, "O God, our help in ages past" was sung, followed by an address by Mr. C. H. Buzzard, secretary of the local branch of the British Legion. On behalf of the committee, Major T. C. Howitt, D.S.O., the architect of the scheme, handed a silver trowel to Mr. Artur Plumb, J.P., the chairman of the District Council, who laid the foundation stone. A report of the scheme was given by Mr. J. G. Slater, M.B.E.. secretary, stating that up to the present £1,073 had been subscribed. There were promises for £30, and bank interest was due for £47. The .proceedings terminated with the singing of "Abide with Me.” https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000321/19220429/013/0002

Nottingham Journal, Tuesday 5th September 1922 (page 4) reported: 'HUCKNALL’S MEMORIAL. Inhabitants of Hucknall may well be proud of the effort they made to perpetuate the memory of the men from the town who fell in the Great War. From a dominating position in the park it casts its shadow on the fields where doubtless, as lads, the heroes played, and it stands as they stood -resolute, impressive and grand. The sentiment which has thus been expressed by the raising of the memorial is one deserving of all praise, but what of the men - equally great heroes - who were fortunate enough to return to “Blighty?" Will the same hands which helped to make the memorial an accomplished fact cast aside the plea of the ex-serviceman?'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001897/19220905/124/0004

Retford and Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, Tuesday 5th September 1922 (page 3) reported: Hucknall's War Memorial. CENOTAPH IN TITCHFIELD PARK. The unveiling of the Hucknall memorial was performed on Sunday by Brigadier-General Sir J. F. Laycock, D.S.O., T.D., of Wiseton, near Retford, who said the Committee could not have asked anyone who appreciated it more. The rolls of honour brought home to them how widespread and appalling were the losses sustained, and they owed it to the men whose names the memorial perpetuated that there should be some record of their unselfish devotion which made the victory possible. They also owed it to the relatives of the fallen that their deeds should be recorded. It was indeed a sad comfort, but yet it must in some way lighten their burden to feel how directly their loss was associated with a victorious end, and that they died a most glorious death, typifying valour, patriotism, and unselfishness. The general salute was then given, followed by the lesson and the dedication by Canon Barber, who also intoned part of the prayers, followed by the Rev. W. T. Thorpe (Baptist minister) for the remainder of the service. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003353/19220905/031/0003

Nottingham Journal, Monday 3rd September 1945 (page 4) reported: In Memory at Hucknall Cenotaph. Twenty-four years ago General Laycock unveiled the Hucknall Cenotaph on the first Sunday in September, as a tribute to the 296 men who fell in the first World War. Ever since the custom has been kept alive by the British Legion, and yesterday there was a larger assembly around the cenotaph in the park than for many years past The local Legion was augmented by members and standards of 17 other branches, the procession from the Market-place being led by the Legion's band. At the cenotaph the service was conducted by the Rev. J. W. Busby. Wreaths were laid on the memorial. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19450903/118/0004

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 16th November 1946 (page 1) reported: COST WILL BE DEFRAYED. Echo Of Hucknall Cenotaph Quibble. In view of the quibbling over the adding of the figures "1939-1945" to the Hucknall Cenotaph, Mr. James Swinton, a veteran of the first world war, and a member of the British Legion, has agreed to defray the cost, it was reported at the latter’s meeting last night. It was reported to the Hucknall District Council that the Ministry could not sanction the expenditure and a former chairman said he had never heard of anything so disgusting, only a few pounds being involved. Other members were mildly surprised and thought a mistake had been made. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000321/19461116/018/0001

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 16th August 1947 (page 1) reported: Hucknall Omission Rectified New dates: “1914-1918; 1939-1945,” were cut to-day in the stonework of the Hucknall Cenotaph. The work was done by Mr. W. Mellors, 23, Shortwood-crescent, under the direction of Mr. J. W. Swinton, Hucknall, a life member of the British Legion, who paid for the cost of the work when it was discovered that the Huoknall Urban Council could not do it out of public funds. The date stone will be unveiled on September 7th. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000321/19470816/012/0001

Nottingham Journal, Monday 8th September 1947 (page 4) reported: HUCKNALL DEAD OF TWO WARS Cenotaph Dedication Ceremony Hucknall's cenotaph in Titchfleld Park, unveiled 26 years ago in memory of the fallen in the 1914-1918 war, was re-dedicated yesterday to those who fell in the 1939-1945 war, with figures cut in the stonework to record the years of the two conflicts. The unveiling was performed by Sqdn.-Leader E. G. Ward, D.FC. (Officer Commanding R.A.F., Hucknall). A procession was formed in the market place preceded by the Hucknall Legion Band, those taking part being the Legionaires and women’s branches (20 standards being carried), the church choir, R.A.O.B., Toc H, with detachments of R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. Four sentries of the South Notts. Hussars were on guard. The salute was taken by Major J. L. Birkin. Lt.-Col. J. N. Chaworth-Musters, Legion county chairman, and Mr. G. Shooter (treasurer) were present. On arrival at the cenotaph the Rev. K. G. Thompson conducted the service and dedicated the memorial. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19470908/086/0004

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 13th November 1993 (page 2) reported: Thieves target cenotaph scroll. CALLOUS thieves have taken a memorial scroll bearing the names of dead servicemen. The 12in by 24in copper scroll was stolen this week from the Hucknall cenotaph at Titchfield Park The theft comes as surviving ex-soldiers prepare to honour their former comrades at tomorrow’s Remembrance Day Service. Branch secretary of Hucknall Royal British Legion Ken Harrison condemned the theft as “sickening”. “It’s dreadful how could anyone do something like this. Some of them would not be here now if it hadn’t been for those men. If I got my hands on them I’d strangle them.” The scroll bears the names of about 40 soldiers with surnames beginning with the letters I to M from world war one. It had been attached to a pillar at the cenotaph since 1923 when the deaths were first commemorated. Six scrolls stolen from the park nearly three years ago were later recovered by police. Said Mr Harrison: “A lot of lads will be devastated There is a parade from Hucknall cenotaph on Sunday morning which is why it’s so important to get it back. We would very much like it back. “It’s not worth a lot in value but it’s worth a damn lot to us at the legion”. Sgt Kevin Brady of Hucknall Police said: “It’s a despicable crime especially at this time of year. "I would personally like to see it recovered before Sunday and call on members of the public to help us". Anyone with information should ring Hucknall Police on 680999. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003894/19931113/002/0002

Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday 7th March 1996 (page 19) reported: Names tribute to war dead. HUCKNALL'S cenotaph is to have the names of townsfolk killed in the Second World War added to it after a campaign by ex-servicemen. The local branch of the Royal British Legion asked for the names to be added to the memorial in Titchfield Park. Now £8000 is to be set aside by Ashfield District Council for plaques at Hucknall and Huthwaite cenotaphs. At Sutton-in-Ashfield, the names of those killed in service during the war were listed at the gateposts of St Mary's Church, but one was stolen a few weeks ago. Council officers recommended that the names be transferred to Sutton Cemetery and councillors have called for public consultation before a decision is made. The decision on the Hucknall cenotaph was welcomed by David Cain, chairman of the RBL branch. He said: "I am quite happy with the decision. The members would sooner have a memorial wall put up instead of plaques on the cenotaph because they are getting pinched." Coun. John Wilmott said: "I think it is time a memorial was erected. I would like to congratulate Mr Cain for getting the names together. We should all remember the great hardship that all those people had during the war". If anyone has a relative whose name should be added to the cenotaph they should contact the Royal British Legion on 952 1067. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003894/19960307/019/0019

Historic England, details of the Grade II listing of the memorial on 12/10/1988, describes the memorial as: ''Portland stone, ashlar and sandstone paving. Rectangular base of 3 steps, carrying cenotaph column with moulded base and Greek key capital. To west, bronze cross. To east, inscribed bronze tablet. Surrounding square paved area, has at each corner, a truncated obelisk with bronze memorial plaques. Intermediate smaller obelisks connected by oval linked chain'. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1275905?section=official-list-entry

Nottinghamshire County Council Roll of Honour (which has biographical details of WW1 casualties). https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/WarMemorials/Details/167 and https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/WarMemorials/Details/596

War Memorial Trust, details of grant made in 2019 toward conservation states: 'At some time in the past a bronze plaque from one of the corner posts had been removed and was lost. In August 2005 English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation gave a grant of £1150 to cast a replacement. One of the existing plaques was removed so the new one could be copied exactly, and the names that should have been on it were available from the records. In 2019 this war memorial received a further grant of £2,320 from War Memorials Trust towards conservation works. The memorial was cleaned using a DOFF steam cleaning system with localised poultice cleaning to address verdigris staining. Following the clean the bronze work was treated with a protective microcrystalline wax. The construction joints of the memorial and surrounding paving were raked out and repointed using a lime mortar'. https://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=622

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/67034/