Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

Pte J Rivers VC

Summary
Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW1 war memorial plaque to Pte Jacob Rivers VC in St Alkmund's Church, Derby.
Images
Setting Plaque
Locations
Last known location:
St Alkmund's Church
40 Kedleston Rd
Derby
Nearest postcode:
DE22 1GU

NGR:
SK 34648 37179
(From online digital mapping.)
Location details:
The church is on the northeast side of the road 200m northwest of the Five Lamps junction. The plaque is inside, on the west wall of the nave.

Previous location:
St Alkmund's
 Church (Demolished)
St Alkmund's
 Churchyard (Demolished)
Derby
Nearest postcode:
DE1 3DB

NGR:
SK 3515 3673
(From online digital mapping.)
Location details:
The church was between the present Jurys Inn and the footbridge over St Alkmunds Way. It was demolished c1965 and the area cleared for construction of the inner ring road St Alkmund's Way. The memorial was removed to the new St Alkmund's Church at that time.

Previous location:
Bridgegate Mission
 Hall (Demolished)
Rear of Court No 5
Bridgegate
Derby
Nearest postcode:
DE1 3DB

NGR:
SK 3520 3670
(From online digital mapping.)
Location details:
The mission room was near the entrance to the present Jurys Inn car park. The memorial was removed to St Alkmund's Church cMay 1950 prior to the sale of the building for commercial use. The building was subsequently demolished and the area cleared for construction of the inner ring road St Alkmund's Way.
Type
Overall type: Tablet.


Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible.


Description:

An oblong brass plaque on an oaken backboard. The plaque has a thin incised border coloured black with a small cross incised at the head and coloured red. The inscription is incised in upright capital roman lettering coloured black with selected rubricated initials.
Components:

Component Material Height Width Depth Condition
Plaque Brass 330 410 c2 Fair
Backboard Oak 360 440 20 Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY
OF
PRIVATE JACOB RIVERS, V.C.,
NOTTS & DERBY REGT.
SHERWOOD FORESTERS.
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION
AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE,
MARCH 12TH. 1915.
Conflicts and people named:
Conflict First World War (1914-1919)
(Victoria Cross Winner)
Number died 1
Number served and returned 0
Total names 1
Administration
Custodian: Presumed to be the Parochial Church Council

Local authorities:
Before 1974: Derby County Borough Council (Derby Corporation)
From 1974 to 1997: Derby District (later Borough and from 1977 City) Council and Derbyshire County Council.
Post 1997 the unitary authority has been Derby City Council.
History
Unknown date: Originally erected in the Mission Hall.

cMay 1950: Removed to St Alkmunds Church prior to the hall being sold.

14th May 1950: The plaque was unveiled in St Alkmunds Church by Maj M J D'A Blackman MC, Commanding Officer of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, Derby and dedicated by Rev G H Stevens MTH OCF, Depot Chaplain to the Sherwood Foresters.

c1965: Removed from St Alkmunds Church prior to its demolition and subsequently re-erected in the new St Alkmunds Church on Kedleston Rd.

22nd April 2008: The memorial was surveyed by Roy and Ronald Branson . It was in fair condition.
References
Derby Telegraph; 13th May 1950 p2: An announcement for the forthcoming unveiling service.

Derby Telegraph; 15th May 1950 p6: A report on the unveiling service.

Derby Telegraph; 27th June 1950 p2: A report on the sale of the Mission Hall including a reference to the removal of the plaque and with a photograph of the building.
Comments
Page © Roy Branson