MIDDLESBROUGH’S All Saints’ Church First World War memorial, commemorating the lives of local men from Gjers Mills ironworks, is to be replaced following the award of an £8,500 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The “They answered their Country’s Call” project takes its name from text that appeared on the war memorial which commemorated those who died from the parish before it was stolen and damaged in 2007. This project will explore the impact of the First World War on Middlesbrough, its industries and churches, with the replacement of the war memorial one of the highlights of the year-long scheme. The project will also include a programme of education activities and public events, a First World War Exhibition at the grade II* listed church, digitisation of historic material and repair work to the damaged original war memorial.
Local partners Middlesbrough Council, Teesside Archives, Teesside University student volunteers, William Lane Foundry, which has housed the damaged war memorial since it was recovered following an appeal, have joined forces to make the project possible.
All Saints’ Father Glyn Holland said “We are delighted that after several years since the loss of the war memorial we are now able to remember those ironworkers and managers from the area that worked at Gjers Mills, answered their country’s call and sacrificed their lives during the First World War”.
Project Manager Tosh Warwick added: “The support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and local partners will ensure “They answered their Country’s Call” will help preserve the memories and heritage of the Middlesbrough people who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War”.
Explaining the importance of the HLF support, the head of the HLF in the North East, Ivor Crowther, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. We are enabling even more communities like those involved in “They answered their Country’s Call” to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”
More information on the Project can be found at www.facebook.com/AllSaintsFWW or by contacting history@middlesbrough.gov.uk.