Wolverhampton war memorial taken off ebay after outcry
A war memorial to soldiers from Wolverhampton who died in the First World War appeared for sale on an internet auction site, sparking outrage from veterans groups.
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The brass plaque, which originates from the city’s Cable Street Mills factory, was available for £400 on ebay but it has now been taken down after complaints.
Inscribed on the plaque are the words “To the glory of God and in memory of the following who gave their lives in defence of country 1914-18”. It went on sale on Friday, with the seller describing it as “reclaimed from a club in Wolverhampton and would suit a collector or enthusiast”.
When the mills closed in 1996 the plaque was given to the Wolverhampton branch of the Royal British Legion – and bosses then handed it to the United Services Club in Humber Road, Merridale. The club was later sold, and planning permission was granted to turn it into a mosque.
A spokesman for applicants Tayyaba Masjid, also known as Lime Street Mosque, today said it was being kept in storage and that he had no idea who had put it up for sale. The man, who didn’t want to be named, added: “When we took over the club, we spoke to the council about the plaque as we knew it was something sentimental.
“I have spoken to my colleagues, and as far as we are concerned, it is being kept in a storage cupboard in Humber Road. I cannot understand how it would have ended up on ebay, as we would not have put it there.”
John Mellor, president of the Wolverhampton branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “Selling something like this is an affront to the dead.”
The sale sparked concern with the War Memorial Trust, a charity that works to protect such memorials across the UK, with officials contacting ebay to demand the auction was ended.
Trust director Francis Moreton said: “We do not support the sale of memorials at all.
“We believe that a memorial has no monetary value and they are there as a reminder of those who sacrificed their lives.
The trust said it received dozens of emails alerting them to the auction.
Ex-serviceman Peter Haywood, aged 67, of Brixham, Devon, contacted the Express & Star about the sale and said: “It is totally wrong to be selling items like this. These are sons of the community of Wolverhampton and it’s outrageous.”
He added: “They gave the ultimate sacrifice and someone shouldn’t be cashing in on it.
“The National Arboretum in Staffordshire is always on the look-out for memorials so there are places where this plaque can be donated.”
Comments for: "Wolverhampton war memorial taken off ebay after outcry"
PJW Holland
Somehow this looks awfully familiar. Did anyone think of asking the seller where it came from?
One or two ideas come to mind:
1. The United Services Club which was in Waterloo Road and then sold up and moved to Humber Road. That club has, I believe, now disappeared. I suspect this is the most likely source.
2. The West End WM Club.
3. The Bradmore WM & Social Club.
I think it is not so much the proposed sale of the monument that is the affront. It is how this came to be available for sale. How could such a memorial have been "forgotten"?
Ryan
According to Heidi McIntosh, City Archivist of Wolverhampton, there is no mystery about where it came from as it is listed on this Wolverhampton War Memorials site as coming from Cable Street Mills:
http://www.wolverhamptonwarmemorials.org.uk/memorial_pages/Works/cable_street_mills.htm
PJW Holland
That seems conclusive... Still there remains the scandal of how this memorial came to be in the situation it is.
BOF
Scandal, please! Someone is trying to rubbish people who have the product temporarily in their care.
The real scandal is that someone is being charged for murder, had their personal details, including medical, spread across the news.
No one is treating mental health with the real care and sensitivity it deserves.
I feel more for the family of the person being unreasonably treated in the news
susan smith
there was somethng similar to this at Ladymoor Methodist Church bilston. this was demolishes many years ago, I cannot be sure its the same one but it looks familiar.
Anwar
I cant tell on this photo....but is that a Masonic symbol at the top middle. A triangle surrounded by a self devouring snake?
Simon Vickers
No it isn't. The Masons use a square and compass.
Westcroft Wolf
Don't worry its in safe hands as I bought it from the gentleman. I will get it all cleaned up.
We Only Need One Half!
As a former soldier Westcroft, I hope that remark was not an attempt at humour. Lots of people still treat these items with the reverence they deserve. If you do have it, what do you intend to do with it?
Last year a plaque was dedicated to a Private Barratt V.C., who as a block of flats named after him on Batman's Hill Road, Tipton. Although I was bought up in the area I was unaware of the name connection and what he did till the Express and Star highlighted it. Other than the properties name, there was no other reference, i.e. a plaque. That is one of the reasons why these plaques are so important, to keep the memory alive.
Needless to say we had a dedication service and unveiled a new plaque at the building, which was well attended by many old soldiers, including the Staffordshire Regimental Association.
If you, or anyone else was unaware of Pte Barratt V.C., has I was, there is an excellent dedication to his memory here.
http://www.sedgleymanor.com/people/victoria_cross.html
Lest We Forget
Doug Lewis
The memorial is as described the Cable St. Mills memorial which as the previous poster correctly reports is recorded on my website. http://www.wolverhamptonwarmemorials.org.uk/memorial_pages/Works/cable_street_mills.htm
It was originally was displayed in The United Services Club Great Brickiln St/Humber Rd before it closed down. The new owners are refurbishing the club and the frame was broken up, the person who has the memorial saved it from being throw away.
Todd Nash
Thanks all for of your comments - we've confirmed that the war memorial originated from the city’s Cable Street Mills factory and have now updated the story.
BRUCE
To sell such a thing is absolutely scandalous.
lee.h
Have you seen the war memorial in Birmingham new street i bet you haven't ???????
im 30 years old and i was shocked last night to find the memorial at the back of the station in siting area in the corner of the building. there was feet marks and lipstick marks by the plaque. to put some 124 names who have died in the war in a corner is sad and network rail should be a shamed.
David Hastie
I'm glad they caught this and hope it finds a proper place. I've often stopped in the small towns and memorials across the US and UK and read the memorials to the past wars. But I tend to see few locals stop or appreciate these sites, as the bronze tarnishes and the concrete crumbles. And there are probably a few that ended in the scrap heap for the metal or stolen by thieves. I guess we should be glad it showed up on Ebay rather than sold for scrap, where it would have disappeared forever, although I don't condone this choice. - 3rd generation vetran
Trevor Evans Parade Marshal Staffordshire Regimental Association
We as The Staffordshire Regimental Association would be pleased to give this plaque a home where it will be treted with the respect it deserves. Most of the names on the plaque will have been Staffordshire soldier as Wolverhampton was in Staffordshire during both World Wars. We were the guys who got the Thomas Barratt VC Memorial replaced and re-dedicated.
If any restoration is required this would be sorted and paid for by us. I would ask anyone who has the plaque not to try and clean it or try to refurbish it in any way.
I am only too willing to meet anyone anywhere ,anytime to discuss the proper siting of this very important item.
We Only Need One Half!
Hi Trevor, do you still have the same email address? has i did try to contact you early hours of yesterday morning about this.
If your require a vehicle to move it, has I assume it will be heavy and cumbersome, I am more than willing to loan you a van and a driver for the day, to move it to which ever location the Association desires, gratis of course.
Keep up the good work.