Memorial Title

Pte W J Meade

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial vase to Pte William Meade in Shirebrook Cemetery, Derbyshire.

Images

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Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
Shirebrook Cemetery
Common La (B6407)
Shirebrook
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
NG20 8PA

NGR:
SK 51281 66996 ±5m
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Location details:
About 15m south of the chapel.

Type

Overall type: Vase.

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible.

Description:

A vase added to the War Grave of Pte William Meade. The vase comprises an oblong concrete block with a hole at the centre for flowers and a thin stone panel (probably granite) attached to the face and bearing a gilded inscription incised in upright capital roman and block lettering. The memorial accompanies a CWGC headstone for Pte Meade. (See comments below.)

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Vase	Concrete, stone	240	355	225	Fair
Base	Concrete	50	435	280	Fair
Headstone	Limestone	810	380	75	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Vase:

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945)	Totals
Action	Not stated
Number died	1	1
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	1	1

IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
MY DEAR HUSBAND
PTE. WILLIAM JAMES
MEADE,
DIED THROUGH INJURIES
RECEIVED ON ACTIVE SERVICE
JUNE 15TH. 1945,
AGED 32 YEARS.

Headstone:

13080174 PRIVATE
W. J. MEADE
CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE
15TH. JUNE 1945 AGE 32
YOU WERE TAKEN
WE KNOW NOT WHY
BUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL MEMORY
WILL NEVER DIE

Administration

Custodian: Presumed to be the Meade family.

Local authorities:
From WW2: Shirebrook Parish Council; Blackwell Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Shirebrook Town Council; Bolsover District Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

8th January, 2018: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition.

References

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Comments

Although Pte Meade is named on the adjacent headstone, that is his CWGC War Grave headstone so is not classified as a war memorial according to the definition adopted by most heritage organisations. The vase, being portable, does fall within the normal definition of a war memorial.

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