The 'Fallen' Soldier
1959
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There are many different suggestions as to why and
how the marble soldier on the top of the memorial came to fall off, the most
popular belief is that it was due to a storm in 1959. Local villagers tell of
many broken pieces of the white marble lying scattered on the ground around the
memorial for a number of days, until a group of local men took the initiative
and gathered up all of the broken pieces, transporting them to the piece of
common ground behind Knightsbridge Garage where they were buried.
A public meeting was held at the 'Jacksdale Schools' on 20th Feb 1959 to discuss
this most unfortunate loss and to hopefully find a solution. A local newspaper
reports ~
SELSTON PARISH COUNCIL TO CONSIDER JACKSDALE WAR MEMORIAL SUGGESTIONS.
Several recommendations were made at the public meeting in the Jacksdale
Schools, Main Road, on Tuesday evening, concerning matters connected with
the War Memorial at Main Rd, Jacksdale.Clerk to the Selston Parish Council, Mr G Wilde, said that these
recommendations would be put forward at the Parish Council meeting next
Tuesday and that advice would be sought from J. Berresford and Sons, of
Belper, the monumental masons who erected the memorial.
Mr J. Cooke, secretary of the local British Legion branch, said at one of
the councillor's remarks - "The majority of the population of Jacksdale are
not in favour of the memorial being renovated in its present position, even
if the British Legion are" - was not a fair thing to say.
Mr Wilde answered that it was unfortunate that the person who made that
statement was not present."One Person's Opinion" Councillor F. Barker, who presided in the absence
of the Council Chairman, said - "That was only one person's opinion, and
you have to be careful of what you say when the press are there."
Mr E. Purseglove , chairman of the British Legion, suggested that the
memorial be renovated and cleaned to its previous condition. Mr Purseglove
then asked Mr Wilde how much the Council were prepared to spend, and Mr
Wilde answered that a one penny and a third rate would bring in approximately
£360. A clock was suggested by one member. and Councillor J. Clarke
suggested an ornamental flashing lamp. Another member agreed with Mr Clarke's
recommendation and bid that a lamp would safeguard against being hit by cars
and lorries.
These and other suggestions will be brought before next Tuesday's Parish
Council meeting and another public meeting will be called.
A later newspaper article reports~
JACKSDALE MEMORIAL RECOMMENDATION TO SELSTON COUNCIL.
The dead of the two world wars are not remembered by Jacksdale people. This
seemed to be the opinion of the few who attended the public meeting in the
Jacksdale School, Main Road, on Monday to again discuss matters connected
with the war memorial.
Councillor A.E. Kirk, chairman of the Parish Council, said that people who
hadn't come along to the meeting could not grumble about the decisions made.
Mr Kirk's comment which came towards the end of the meeting brought nods of
agreement from the rest of the "few."
Soldier Crumbled. Mr H.H. Nelson, manager of J. Beresford and Son, builders
of the memorial was present and brought with him a stone cap, which was
originally made for St. Peter's Church, Belper.
Mr Nelson explained the difficulties of the various suggestions, pointing out
that a clock might perish, as did the soldier, and that there was nowhere to
run a cable for an electric lamp. The cap is made of entirely the same stone
as the rest of the memorial, but it is of finer grain. Two more bases would
be added under the cap.
Mr Nelson was asked if the stone would gradually perish, and it was explained
that the marble soldier was not made with the best material, and that it
must have been the sulphur from the iron foundry that had caused it to
crumble.
Cost of erecting the cap, cleaning and various other improvements would be
between £60 and £70. It was recommended that the Selston Parish Council
accept the tender.
The Unveiling
The Restoration
The Re-Dedication
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