Singleton Church Memorials

I visited Singleton on the way to Poulton. A fascinating place. I took photographs inside the church of other dedications as well as the memorials. One of the most interesting objects was the remains of a pedestal belonging to a wayside cross - possibly. The link is here There are links to other pictures of the church here.

However these are the memorials to the fallen in World War 1 and World War 2. They are facing the entrance door as you enter.

The World War 1 Memorial

The inscription is below:

1914 - 1919

TO THE HONOURED MEMORY

OF THE MEN OF THE PARISH OF SINGLETON

WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR

J. H. MILLER

E.C.MILLER

E.WILSON

A.HOWE

A. BOND

J.TURNBULL

T.B.TURNBULL

W. ECCLESTON.

W.STIRZAKER

A.STIRZAKER

H.TURNER

W.HASLEM

T.H.JACKSON

E.RONSON

J.SWARBRICK

"Their name liveth for evermore"

These are the 3 plaques on the wall facing the entrance door

1939 - 1945

TO THE HONOURED MEMORY

OF THE MEN OF THE PARISH OF SINGLETON

WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

J.C.BRADLEY
C.COCKS
T.FOSTER
J.KIRKHAM
J.OLIVE
A.M,RONSON

"Greater love hath no man than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends"

Both the plaques are of brass, both the same size and they have laurel wreaths with crosses in the middle. The middle section appears to be of oak, aged an of a window shape inscribed in gold leaf. " IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE" Little shelf beneath, for flowers or possibly candles.

These memorials are mentioned in the United Kingdom National Inventory of War Memorials as UKNIWM Ref: 10571

There will be a link to the rest of the memorabilia and dedications here. As well as more pictures of this interesting little community church.

John Talbot Clifton Memorial Drinking Fountain

To the left of the Ballam road just to the left of the bridge as you leave Lytham is a curious little monument. I believe this was once called Sparrow parkThis is the Drinking Fountain Memorial to John Talbot Clifton erected about 1882 by his wife Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton. This was originally sited in what is now the place of the Lytham War Memorial in Hastings Place. 

The Drinking Fountain is slightly to the left of centre. Not sure of the date of this picture but it must have been before 1922 ish, because the War Memorial was erected about this time on this place. If you examine the picture closely you will see that little has changed. Stringers is still in the same place. The tram tracks are clearly visible, The rest of the iron work is still there too.

 

I do not know when the water fountain was moved but it certainly now has an air of neglect. Slates are loose or lost. The odd bit of graffiti. Seems a shame that all this appeal to save Lytham Hall does not seem to have spread to this unique memorial. There is a reference to the Late Colonel Clifton here.

From the Bridge that goes over the railway

'TIS WELL 'TIS SOMETHING WE MAY STAND WHERE HE IN ENGLISH EARTH IS LAID

ELEANOR CECILY CLIFTON ERECTED THIS FOUNTAIN

IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND JOHN TALBOT CLIFTON

"Mortem aut triumphum" - Death or Victory. The left side of the coat of Arms is the Clifton Coat of Arms. The Right hand side the Lowther Coat of Arms.

WHO DIED AT HAMMAN RHEA ALGIERS APRIL 16 1882

Lytham Station as was but now a wine bar/restaurant. The trains still run down the single track. But the exit is at either end of the old station buildings.

Horse Trough

View from the station

Blackpool Police Sea Tragedy

This is an update:

Looking north up the prom. There is another level below this path. Fishermen and the emergency services use this level. This panoramic view shows the Police memorial on the right post. The new memorial is almost invisible infront of the hotel on the right. More pictures below.

I worked at the South end of Blackpool and reports were on the radio of this unfolding event. I remember some very bad gales at this time. The promenade was frequently flooded and on a couple of occasions I was on "sandbag" duty. I am not sure that this day was one of those. I do recall the horror of it all, because my wife went to school with one of the officers who died. There was a fourth officer that was pulled out of the sea by his neck - he survived. The tragedy was caused by Alistair Antony attempting to rescue his Jack Russell dog which had gone into the 20 ft waves. Mr Antony also perished in the waves. Typing in "Blackpool Sea Tragedy" into Google will give you over 5000 results. Regrettably the lure of the sea will tempt even the most cautious especially when their defences are down. This memorial is at Gynn Square at the lower end of the gardens. 

Inscription facing South down the promenade

The inscription is mounted on this pillar.
The pillar was here before the plaque

The inscription reads :

P.C.COLIN MORRISON

AGED 38 YEARS.

W.P.C. ANGELA BRADLEY

AGED 23 YEARS.

P.C. GORDON CONNOLLY

AGED 24 YEARS

THIS PLAQUE WAS DONATED BY

ENTERTAINERS AND PEOPLE OF

THE FYLDE AND DISTRICT 

IN MEMORY OF THE 

THREE BRAVE POLICE OFFICERS 

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES 

IN A SEA RESCUE ATTEMPT 

ON 5TH OF JANUARY 1983.

WE WILL NEVER                 

                 FORGET THEM

Twenty-five years (2008) on there was a memorial service and "The Evening Gazette" published this: 

Trio lost at sea 25 years ago remembered

Published on Saturday 5 January 2008 11:50

"THEY are a beacon of inspiration to us all."

A quarter of a century on from Blackpool police's worst sea tragedy, the words of the resort's top officer summed up a day of emotion for many.

Three Blackpool officers, PC's Colin Morrison, Gordon Connolly and Angela Bradley, died while trying to save the life of holidaymaker Alistair Anthony in the sea off Gynn Square. All four died.

This weekend, hundreds of residents joined serving and retired emergency service staff to pay their respects to the brave men and women who gave their lives in order to save others.

The families of the officers who died on that fateful day in 1983 were in attendance.

Braving freezing temperatures at the cliffs of the landmark, Chief Supt Russ Weaver said their bravery shone brightest of all at this emotional time.

He added: "This is a day of mixed emotions for many people here. There are people here who will remember it all too clearly and there are those who will cherish the memories of their loved ones forever.

"The officers lost here are a credit to Lancashire Constabulary. They died trying to save a person who they did not know.

"They knew the risks involved but were prepared to go into the sea and help a man who had gone into to rescue his pet.

"Their names are on the walls of meeting rooms in memory and their pictures still adorn the walls of their family homes.

"We will never forget them and it is because of their bravery so many other people have been saved from the sea in the 25 years since that tragic day."

Chief Constable of Lancashire Steve Finnigan laid the first of many wreaths below the plague bearing the names of the officers following a minutes silence on Queens Promenade.

PC Morrison's body was recovered by a winchman lowered from a helicopter while PC Bradley's body was recovered from a sandbank at Preesall. The remains of PC Connolly were not found until January 27.

I am not sure if the memorial is on the UK National inventory of War Memorials - I feel it should be.

However there is information about police who have  died in service here. This was not the only tragedy to a serving policeman in blackpool.

The cenotaph is approximately one mile south of this memorial at Talbot Square and the Mexico Memorial is another 3 miles down the coast in St Annes. There are actually three Mexico memorials - they have been photographed and will be discussed at some point.

This below is the update, mostly photographic. There seems to be a point to add those who died doing service. There is little link to the police memorial. I will try and find Gerry Richardson's grave here too. I feel that the memorial should include the names of those who gave their lives to the community - All though it is significant without that information it means less - My thoughts - that's all.

From across the promenade road.
The tram tracks are visible

The black slab showing the four services
"To those of the emergency services who give all or part of their lives serving
others with bravery and commitment"

Closer view of the 4 services highlighted in white

Lancashire Constabulary      Lancashire Fire and Rescue
The Coast Guard        The North West Ambulance Service

View from the path at Jubilee Gardens.
This looks from the sea side towards the car-park.

Showing the Police Memorial on the column and
the Services memorial in front of the tram

The 2 memorials from the north

Looking South towards Gynn Square.
The tram track turns up round the front of the hotel in the background.

I feel there is more information to be added to this page.

There is more information at the page:
 http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/tribute-to-999-services-1-5048734

St Peter's Chorley

Visited St Peter's Parish church last summer.
I was quite disappointed with the condition of the memorial. It will only be a short while before the letters of the names on the memorial will be erased. Hopefully I have all the transcription right. The actual dedication is a little unusual with the wording. The memorial itself is quite robust. The weather varied from overcast to quite sunny. It does appear that the photos were taken on different days  - but not so. The church grounds are quite big. The style of the memorial suits the church.

The path to the right leads to the South Entrance

The rear of the church.
The tip of the bell tower is just seen at the left corner of the roof

Edge on. The cross faces the road and the rear faces the church

This is the inscription on the memorial. Hopefully it is correct.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN MEMORY OF

THOSE CONNECTED WITH THE 

PARISH OF ST PETER CHORLEY

WHO HAVE FALLEN IN THE

GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919

THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

 Underneath on the bottom plinth is the legend

WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945

The remainder of the photos as well as closeups of the memorial as well as a list of the fallen are in the Datastore.
This is the identity from the National Inventry of War Memorials

ST PETERS PARISH

UKNIWM Ref: 51404