Memorial

Drowned Soldiers of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Source: Copyright James H Wilson

1/4

Current Location

External wall, Dave Stephens Centre, Links Road, Blyth, Blyth Valley, Northumberland, NE24 3PL, England

NZ 32061 79561

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Type of Memorial: Board / Plaque / Tablet
WMR Reference Number: 88223
Description: Round dark blue plaque with inscription in raised white lettering. The inscription is topped by the crest of Blyth Valley. Beside the plaque is a caption board explaining the story of the drowned soldiers.
Inscription: Rectangular Plaque- REMEMBERED/24 August 1917/[the names around the regimental badge and with a photograph of Lieutenant E K W Brown at top centre]// On a hot August day in 1917 over 600 soldiers of the Royal Warwickshire/Regiment were on a route march from Horton Camp. They stopped to rest on/Blyth beach and were given permission to cool off in the water. Many had/never seen the sea and some could not swim. Tragically no-one understood/the strong undercurrents of an ebb tide and very quickly some of the men got/into difficulties. Others went to their aid and also floundered. Lieutenant/Brown organised human chains to attempt a rescue and seven soldiers were/saved while eight were swept out to sea. Sadly Lt Brown lost his footing and/despite efforts to hold onto him, he, too, was drowned. Blue Plaque-DEDICATED TO THE/ MEMORY OF 9 SOLDIERS OF THE/ ROYAL/ WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT/ WHO DROWNED NEAR HERE/ 24 AUGUST 1917

War: Military Service
Number Commemorated: 9
Died: 9
Information shown: Forenames, surname, rank, regiment, service number, date of death, manner of death, place of deat, age at death

Plaques / Panels with names

Made from: Metal

Condition: Good