Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

Chesterfield School - WW2
(Chesterfield Grammar School - WW2)
Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial plaque for Chesterfield Grammar School.
Images
Setting Plaque Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.
Locations
Last known location:
Foyer
West Studios
Sheffield Rd (B6057)
Chesterfield
Derbyshire 		Nearest postcode:
S41 7LL

NGR:
SK 38337 71693
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.) 		Location details:
West Studios is a creative art, community and business project of Chesterfield College located on the east side of Sheffield Road opposite the junction with Abercrombie St. It occupies the premises which were originally occupied by Chesterfield School. The plaque is mounted on the south wall of the foyer together with other plaques associated with the former school.
Previous location:
Chesterfield School
(Later, Brookfield
 Community School)
Chatsworth Rd (A619)
Brampton
Chesterfield
Derbyshire 		Nearest postcode:
S40 3NS

NGR:
SK 35462 70662
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.) 		Location details:
The plaque was wall-mounted inside the school.
Previous location:
Memorial Room
Chesterfield School
Sheffield Rd (B6057)
Chesterfield
Derbyshire 		Nearest postcode:
S41 7LL

NGR:
SK 38337 71693
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.) 		Location details:
The plaque was originally mounted on the wall of the first floor memorial room.
Type
Overall type: Plaque. Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.
Description:

A nowy-headed brass plaque on an oaken frame. The plaque is of three conjoined vertical panels, the outer two flat-topped and the central one with a shallowly arched top. At the head is the school's heraldic shield above a ribbon bearing the school's motto NON QUO SED QUOMODO (Not whither, but in what manner) and below that is the heading and dedication. The two side panels each bear the names in a single column. The inscription and names are all incised in upright capital block lettering. The frame has a convex moulded border.

Glossary 		Components:

ComponentMaterialHeightWidthDepthCondition
Plaque (overall) Brass112013852Fair
Frame (overall) Oak1260152530Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
ASHLEY, J. D.
ADAMS, C. C.
ADSETTS, J.
ASHMORE, R. A.
BALL, K. J.
BALL, R. A.
BARLEY, E. C.
BETHELL, C.
BEYNON, D. D.
BLACKSHAW, T.
BOOKER, T. W.
BOTHAM, P. A.
BRADSHAW, G.
BREWIN, L. R.
BURCHER, J. E.
CARLEY, J. J.
CARLINE, G. A.
CLARK, W. R.
COOKE, R. G.
COOPER, A.
COOPER, F. B.
COX, R.
DICKENSON, R. R.
DICKINS, P. H.
DODSON, F.
FLINT, A.
FOULSTONE, W. A.
GLOSSOP, A.
GODDARD, J. E.
GOULDEN, H.
GREGORY, C. E.
HADDOCK, D.
HALL, C. H.
HALL, F. I.
HARRISON, J. A.
 
 
 
ROLL OF HONOUR
MCMXXXIX MCMXLV
 
IN PROUD ACKNOWLEDGMENT
AND ENDURING REMEMBRANCE
OF THOSE OLD BOYS OF THE
SCHOOL WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE SECOND
WORLD WAR
 
Let us therefore brace ourselves
to our duties and so bear
ourselves that if the British
empire and its Commonwealth
lasts for a thousand years
  men will still say
THIS WAS THEIR FINEST HOUR
Winston S. Churchill
June 18th. 1940
HOLMES, W. H.
KIRKLAND, E.
IREMONGER, K. G.
JOBES, F. A. H.
LAYCOCK, D. M.
MIDDLETON, J. D.
MOTHERSOLE, D.
NEWSHAM, D. F.
OLDFIELD, G. S.
PARKER, M.
RAWLINSON, G.
RIDGEWAY, H. B.
RUDGE, C.
SHARPE, T. A.
SLACK, G. H.
SMITH, L. H.
SMITH, R. R.
SMITH, T. R.
STAMP, G. A.
TAYLOR, A. T.
TAYLOR, F.
TOWNDROW, A.
TURNER, J. A.
TUXFORD, E.
UNWIN, H. N.
WETHERILL, S. H.
WHARTON, C.
WHEELDON, H.
WIDDOWSON, G.
WILD, E. H.
WILSON, J. P.
WILSON, W. P.
WRIGHT, F. K.
YEOMANS, W. G.
Conflicts and people named:
ConflictSecond World War (1939-1945)Totals
Action or eventNot stated
Number died6969
Number served and returned 0 0
Total names6969
Administration
Custodian: The Old Cestrefeldians' Trust

Local authorities:
From WW2: Chesterfield Parish Council, Chesterfield Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Chesterfield Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History and Conservation
Late 1940s: The memorial was designed and procured.

Early 1950: The memorial was installed on the wall of the Memorial Room on the first floor of the building.

2nd April, 1950: The memorial was unveiled by Air Marshal Sir Philip Wigglesworth KBE CB DSC, an old boy of the school and lately Deputy Chief of Staff (Air) at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and commander of the British Air Forces of Occupation in post-war Europe. The service was conducted by The Ven Talbot Dilworth-Harrison Archdeacon of Chesterfield.

1967: The Sheffield Road premises were closed and the memorial was removed to the school's new premises in Chatsworth Road, when the school would be known as Chesterfield School (Boys).

26th September, 1977:The Sheffield Road building was listed Grade II, Heritage List for England number 1203317.

31st August, 1991: Chesterfield School closed but the memorial was left in the Chatsworth Road building which would become the home of Brookfield Comprehensive School.

2014: The memorials were removed from Brookfield Community School and returned to the original Sheffield Rd building.

11th November, 2014: A service of remembrance and rededication was held at the Sheffield Road site. It was conducted by the Rev Canon Peter Downham who was also President of the Old Cestrefeldian Society.

20th January, 2020: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition and cared for.
References
Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald; 24 March, 1950, p1 col6: a report of the imminent unveiling ceremony.

Ibid; 31st March, 1950, p1 col3: a report of the unveiling ceremony.

Ibid; 7th April, 1950, p1: a report of the unveiling ceremony.

Chesterfield Post; 10th November, 2014: a notice of the imminent rededication service.

Gorman, Frank; Pers Comm; December 2019 to January, 2020: several emails regarding the history of the memorial.
Comments
Additional information about the history of the memorial was also extracted from online transcriptions of The Cestrefeldian, the former school newsletter. The assistance of Frank Gorman is also acknowledged for providing information on the history, and for arranging access to the memorials for survey and photographic purposes.

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Page © Roy Branson