- Type of Memorial
- Cross
- WMR Reference Number
- 91969
- Description
- The limestone war memorial takes the form of an octagonal pillar on an octagonal base, and three-stepped octagonal platform, surmounted by a carved stone crucifix. The memorial is approximately 6m in height and 1.8m in width. The accompanying plaque on the nearby east elevation of the Church of St Peter is inscribed and painted with gold lettering, The current polished granite tablet with gold lettering is not the original plaque. The original tablet was made of Ambleslide Slate but by 1991, the state of the stone was poor so it was replaced by the current plaque with twelve additional names. The Grimsby News on Friday 30th May 1919, reported that the tubular bells would be ready to be rung on the first Sunday in June, which would have been the 1st June. That same edition added that the bells need just the one person to play them and would not disturb or be a nuisance to people living in the area! The £500 need for the whole memorial was still some £300 short of its target, however by March 12th, 1920, the same paper which was only published on a Friday, reported that the Ambleside Slate memorial had been inserted into the wall of the church, and that the names of 99 former Cleethorpes residents had been inscribed on the slab. The Cross of Sacrifice, 20feet high on its surrounding base of 3 octagonal steps built at intervals of 2 feet, had been placed in the churchyard. The cross had a “floriated design”, with a figure of Christ at its top. Built at a total cost of £650, collected by public subscription, the cross had cost £300, the bells £250, and the slate slab £100. There was still some money outstanding the paper reported. The memorials were unveiled and dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop J.E. Hine, late of Zanzibar assisted by Rev. Canon E. Dalby Vicar of Cleethorpes, Rev. Canon Markham MA, Vicar of Grimsby, Rev. J. Cruise Webb and Rev. W.L. Mann. Canon E. Dalby read the 99 names of the fallen. At present I am unsure as to whether the original bells are still in the tower, as they now are electrically driven. [J.Readman]
- Inscription
- THE CHURCHYARD CROSS WAS ERECTED AND A PEAL OF BELLS / PUT IN THE CHURCH TOWER TO COMMEMORATE THE BRAVE / MEN WHO DIED FOR US IN THE GREAT WAR A.D. 1914 - 1918 / AND WHOSE SACRIFICE SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN / [names] / GRANT THEM LORD ETERNAL REST.