Memorial Title

2Lt E H Wildgoose

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of WW1 war memorial windows to 2Lt Ernest H Wildgoose at the former Matlock Primitive Methodist Church, Derbyshire.

Images

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
Former Matlock Primitive
Methodist Church
Bank Rd
Matlock Bank
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
DE4 3GL

NGR:
SK 30141 60611
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
The redundant church was converted to private apartments about 2015 and is now private property with no public access available. The memorial windows are in the west wall and the inscription is in the central one, but details are not visible from outside and the inscription is no longer accessible.

Type

Overall type: Window

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

Three stained glass lancet windows in the west wall of the former church. Each window is comprised of mainly plain oblong panes in pastel shades of blues, greens, pink or clear glass with decorative panels of geometrical shapes in deeper colours. The central window has an oblong panel bearing the inscription in upright capital roman lettering.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Window x 3	Stained glass	c2000	c600	-	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

in memoriam
SEC..LIEUT.. ERNEST HENRY WILDGOOSE RE
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR MARCH 22 1918
THE WINDOWS ON THIS SIDE OF THE CHURCH
WERE ERECTED TO HIS EVER-LOVED MEMORY
BY HIS FATHER AND MOTHER.
HE GAVE HIS ALL FOR THE CAUSE OF RIGHT & FREEDOM

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	First World War (1914-1919)	Totals
Action or event	Not stated
Number died	1	1
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names *	1	1
* See Comments below regarding names.

Administration

Custodian: Not known

Local authorities:
From WW1: Matlock Parish Council, Matlock Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Matlock Town Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

c1919: The windows were provided by John William and Sarah Widgoose, parents of the deceased.

29th February, 1920: The windows were unveiled by Doris Wright Wildgoose, widow of the deceased.

c1968: The church is reported to have closed.

1986: The Matlock Bank Conservation Area was first designated. The building lies within it.

c2014: The church was sold for conversion to residential accomodation.

20th February, 2016: The memorial was photographed by Alan Piper when the church had been gutted prior to conversion to apartments.

References

The (Derbyshire) Courier; 6th March, 1920; p2 col5: an extensive report of the dedication ceremony.

CWGC casualty report.

Piper, Alan; Pers Comm; several emails in September 2019 regarding the former church and its memorials.

Comments

It is unclear whether the rose window above the lancets also forms part of the memorial.

Can you add to or correct anything on this page? Let us know.