Redheugh Gardens War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redheugh Gardens War Memorial |
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| Hartlepool Borough Council | |
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| For Civilians and servicemen killed in World War I | |
| Unveiled | 17 December 1921 |
| Location | 54°41′45″N 1°10′36″W / 54.6958°N 1.1768°W Hartlepool, County Durham, England
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| Designed by | Philip Bennison |
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East face: "FOR US THEY DIED";
west face: "LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND". |
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The Redheugh Gardens War Memorial, also known as the Hartlepool War Memorial, is a special place in Hartlepool, England. It remembers the brave soldiers and everyday people from Hartlepool who lost their lives in World War I and World War II.
This memorial is especially important because it honors the first British soldiers who died on British land during World War I. This happened on December 16, 1914, during an attack called the Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby. Later, in 2001, a new plaque was added. It remembers 240 more people who died in other conflicts between 1919 and 1967.
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Remembering the East Coast Raid
The Redheugh Gardens War Memorial helps us remember a very important event: the East Coast Raid. This attack happened on December 16, 1914. It was during this raid that the first British soldiers died on British soil in World War I.
The memorial was officially opened seven years and one day after this raid. It stands as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who faced this early attack.
The Winged Victory Statue
The main part of the memorial is a beautiful statue called Winged Victory. It is also known as Triumphant Youth. This statue was designed by Philip B. Bennison. It was created to honor the soldiers and civilians who died in World War I.
The statue shows a figure with wings, looking strong and hopeful. It represents freedom and new beginnings that can come even after pain and sacrifice. The statue is made of bronze. It sits on several stone bases made of limestone.
Below the statue, there are four bronze panels. Each panel has a special symbol:
- The Hartlepool town seal.
- The Brus family coat of arms, who were important leaders in Hartlepool long ago.
- The coat of arms of the Prince Bishops of Durham.
- A special design from 1914 showing the lighthouse, remembering the raid on Hartlepool.
The memorial also has two important messages carved into it:
- On the west side: "LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND"
- On the east side: "FOR US THEY DIED"
The memorial was officially opened on December 17, 1921. John Lambton, 3rd Earl of Durham unveiled it. A special ceremony was led by Rev. D. Patterson. The plaques were unveiled by the wife of Hartlepool Councillor C.T. Watson.
This memorial is a very important historical structure. It has been protected as a Grade II building since 1985. In 2002, the memorial was cleaned up and improved with new gates, railings, and walls.
The Memorial Wall
Next to the statue is a large wall, also designed by Philip B. Bennison. This wall is made of special stone called Whitbed Portland stone. It was first built to remember those who died in World War I. Later, it was also used to honor those who died in World War II.
The wall has five bronze panels. These panels list the names of the people who died. Each panel is about 2 feet 8 inches (0.8 meters) tall and 1 foot 4 inches (0.4 meters) wide.
The first four panels have these words:
- "To these Unconquered Dead" (on the wall)
- "Of the Navy / Army and / Mercantile / Marine /" (at the top of panels)
- "Who fell in the Great War / and in grateful appreciation / of those who shared its dangers" (on the wall).
The fifth panel is special. It says: "Bombardment. / The following / were killed in the / bombardment / of Hartlepool / December 16th 1914". Below this, it lists 52 full names of people who died during the raid. At the ends of the wall, there are pillars showing the dates of the wars.
People in the community helped pay for this memorial through donations. It was unveiled by John Lambton, 3rd Earl of Durham on December 17, 1921.
On the back of the wall, there is another memorial from 2001. It remembers 240 "Citizens, Servicemen and Servicewomen of the Borough of Hartlepool / who gave their lives in conflict and War during the years from 1919 to 1967." There are two bronze plaques with the Hartlepool town badge and the names of those who died. Money for these plaques was raised by the David Timlin MBE War Memorial Appeal Fund. A special plate thanks Timlin for his hard work. These plaques were dedicated on June 24, 2001.
Images for kids
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Cannon, Heugh Headland, Hartlepool.
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Plaque marks the first attack on Hartelepool on 16 December 1914 and the first British soldier killed on the British mainland during World War I.
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Memorial to the first British soldier killed on British soil during the Great War
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Cliff Terrace From the Breakwater With the lighthouse on the right and the war memorial standing in Redheugh Gardens left of centre.
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The Earl of Durham as caricatured by Spy (Leslie Ward) in Vanity Fair, December 1887
