Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

Men and Women of Derby (Derby War Memorial Village)

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a war memorial village at Allenton, Derby.
Images
Sign Sign Sign Sign Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Locations
Last known location:
Private residence
Edinburgh Cres
Allenton
Derby
Nearest postcode:
DE24 9JD

NGR:
SK 37018 31925
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)
Location details:
The village is located between Merrill way, Chellaston Rd and Sinfin Ave, but the grid reference is for the original foundation stone on the northern side of Edinburgh Cres.
Type
Overall type: Village. Overall condition: Good. The memorial is cared for and the inscription is legible.


Description:

An area of about 3.7ha containing about 40 residences originally intended for disabled or retired military personnel but now extended to the emergency services. The residences are of brick and tile and comprise flats, detached bungalows and semi-detached bungalows and houses. A house on Edinburgh Cres bears the original foundation stone tablet together with small plaques.

The upright oblong tablet is of Hopton Wood Limestone and bears an inscription in upright capital roman lettering. Secreted behind the tablet is a lead time capsule bearing the borough coat of arms and a small inscription and containing medals and local newspapers.

The small oblong plaques have white inscriptions in upright capital roman lettering, and are mounted on wooden backboards.

A low wall bearing the village name was erected on the open space at the eastern end of the village but was demolished about 2019. A wall behind the Allentown memorial (which has no connection with the village) has been increased in height and now bears the village name.

Several of the other properties in the village bear individual plaques and are described separately.

Glossary
Components:

ComponentMaterialHeightWidthDepthCondition
Land---c3.7ha-
RoadsStone, concrete, bituminous materials---Good
ResidencesBrick, tile---Good
TabletLimestonec1120c700-Good
Time capsuleLeadc200c200c200Good
PlaqueNot knownc100c200c2Fair
BackboardWoodc140c240c15Fair
PlaqueNot knownc80c180c2Fair
BackboardWoodc120c220c15Fair
Wall
(name)
Brick, concretec1000c4500c300Lost
Wall
(name)
Brick, concretec1300c10000c3000Good
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
Former name wall:
Conflicts and people named:
ConflictSecond World War (1939-1945)Totals
Action or eventNot stated
Number died00
Number served and returned00
Total names00
DERBY WAR MEMORIAL VILLAGE

Upper plaque at Edinburgh Cres:
GIVEN BY
PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

Tablet at Edinburgh Cres
(Foundation stone):
IN MEMORY OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF
DERBY WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES FOR FREEDOM IN THE
WORLD WAR, 1939-1945
THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THIS
MODEL VILLAGE FOR THE DISABLED
PROVIDED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION,
WAS LAID BY
H.R.H. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH,
ACCOMPANIED BY
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
ON THE 27TH. JUNE 1949.

Time capsule at Edinburgh Cres:
DERBY, 1949.

Lower plaque at Edinburgh Cres:
EDINBURGH HOUSE

Current name wall:
WAR MEMORIAL VILLAGE DERBY
Administration
Custodian: Trustees of the Derby War Memorial Village

Local authorities:

From WW2: Alvaston and Boulton Parish Council, Shardlow Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1959: Alvaston and Boulton Parish Council, South East Derbyshire Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1968: Derby Borough Council.
From 1974: Derby District (later Borough and from 1977 City) Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1997: Derby City Council.
History and Conservation
27th September, 1947: The war memorial appeal was launched by the Rt Hon A V Alexander.

Spring, 1949: The foundation stone was procured, and the inscription was cut by Mr F H Garratt.

22nd June, 1949: Medals and newspapers were placed into a time capsule by Ald C F Bowmer, Mayor of Derby. It was then taken to the works of Cox Bros and Co (Derby) Ltd where it was sealed by Mr John Geeson, chief lead burner. It was then taken to F Garratt and Son in Derwent St where it was placed in a cavity at the back of the foundation stone by Ald C R Bates, vice chairman of the War Memorial Council, and cemented in.

27th June, 1949: The foundation stone was laid by HRH The Princess Elizabeth.

22nd May, 1950: The key to the first completed house was handed to the tenant by Ald C F Bowmer JP, Mayor of Derby at a ceremony on the site.

c1994: The village was extended to the east of Walton Ave, with four new bungalows.

30th January, 2008: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson. It was in good condition and cared for.

24th August, 2019: The memorial was resurveyed by Roy Branson. It was in good condition and cared for.
References
Derby Telegraph; 27th September, 1947 an account of the launch of the war memorial appeal my Mr A V Alexander.

Ibid; 22nd June, 1949; p6 col1: a report of the preparation of the time capsule.

Ibid; 28th June, 1949; p1 col1: A photograph of the laying of the foundation stone.

Ibid; 22nd June, 1950; p7 col1: an aerial photograph of the village under construction.

Ibid; 19th May, 1950; p13: an announcement of the forthcoming hand over ceremony.
Comments
There is some confusion regarding the date of the extension(s), visits by HRH The Princess Royal and the unveiling of a plaque by her.

Individual memorials relating to the extension(s) and 75th anniversary are described separately.

Can you add to or correct anything on this page? Let us know.
Page © Roy Branson