Grimsby Post Office WWI

  • Main Memorial Plaque in General Post Office 67-71 Victoria St Grimsby - Taken by John Readman 06 Apr 2002

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  • Former Post Office - Taken by John Readman 06 Apr 2002

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  • Main Post Office where Memorial is situated - Taken by John Readman 06 Apr 2002

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Reference WMO/261030

Address:

General Post Office

67-71 Victoria Street

Grimsby

DN31 1AA

England

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Status: On subsequent site(s)
Type: Other
Location: Internal
Setting: Attached to a building/structure
Description: Board/Plaque/ Tablet
Materials:
  • Metal Brass
  • Timber Timber (any)
Lettering: Inscribed on a plaque
Conflicts:
  • First World War (1914-1918)
About the memorial: The main Post Office in Grimsby is situated at 67 to 71, Victoria Street, close to the junction with George Street, opposite the Bus Station. There is a memorial to the men who fought in the First World War inside this building which is near to counters. It’s in a good condition and the words are clearly inscribed and polished as if it was new, instead of being well over 80 years old having been placed there in 1921.In point of fact although the memorial is over 80 years old, and the original building older, it’s has not always been in this position. The Post Office was formerly at 64, Victoria Street, but in the 1990’s, the post office moved its position to where it is now, and Argos went into the old post office site and the memorial went with it. Below are pictures of the present building and the old post office as it is now. Both photographs were taken on a busy Thursday morning in late October. On Friday 28th January 1921, the “Grimsby News” carried a large headline:-“ HEROES OF THE POST OFFICE – HONOURED TODAY There then followed this article which I quote in full as to abbreviate it would lose its impact. “There has been a slight addition to the public office of the Grimsby Post Office. You may not have noticed it but a glance at the wall above the telegraphic stalls will reveal a brass tablet of neat design mounted on polished slate and it bears upon it the following inscription : GRIMSBY POST OFFICE In memory of the following members of the staff who lost their lives in the Great War. S.R.P. Breeze R.E. Parr F. Davison J. H. Taylor W. D. Goodship B. Waltham A. L. Hewitt J. W. Wheatley A. Hopkin J. W. Wiles W.E. Johnson E. J. Willerton W. H. Lucas W. H. Woods A. M. Maidens S. A. Wright W. J. Osborne E. Wright “Their Name liveth for Evermore” This memorial was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday last in the presence of the whole staff that had gathered. Mr. A. Pugh, the Post-master, took charge of the proceeding. The Mayor and Mayoress, (Councillor and Mrs. Franklin Thornton) were present, also Canon Markham, Councillor C. White, Councillor J. W. Prior, Mr. R. Featherstone (late Post-master) and others. Mr. Pugh said that they had met together to witness the unveiling of the memorial to those members of the post office staff of the Grimsby district who lost their lives whilst serving with the forces during the war. This memorial with its 18 names had been erected by voluntary contributions from the staff. They had unanimously decided it would be fitting if the Mayor unveiled the memorial, and his Worship had very kindly attended for that purpose. They were glad he had brought the Mayoress with him. The staff had also thought it would be proper if the memorial be dedicated by the vicar of Grimsby, and Canon Markham had readily consented to perform that service. He welcomed the visitors that were present, and the relatives of the men whose names were on the plate assuring the latter that they had the deepest sympathy of the staff. The Mayor then unveiled the memorial, and said “It is my privilege to unveil this tablet to the glory of God and in loving memory of those whose names are inscribed upon it” So far the ceremony had been an extremely solemn one, one might say a deeply religious one, and at this point the Mayor was quite overcome and was unable to proceed. The vicar at once rose and proceeded with the dedication with the words : “On behalf of the members of the postal staff of Grimsby, with love and gratitude, I dedicate this memorial to their fallen comrades in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” A prayer followed, and at its conclusion the “Last Post” sounded echoing down the corridors. The Mayor then resumed and said he and the Mayoress had been glad to come that day to do honour to those brave men who gave their lives that we might live. It did not require any words from him to say how deeply thankful they were that the Post Office staff in the Grimsby district had thought it wise to erect that memorial. He hoped that the tablet would remain so long as there was a post office. As they passed in and out of that building it would remind them of the sacrifice those men had made. He did not know of any civil servants in England who rendered more important service to their country when it was required than did the post office. (Hear, hear) The men went out, most of them quite voluntarily, and offered their service. He believed it was correct to say that 82,000 men connected with the Post Office went out to serve their country, and of the 82, 000 that went out, 8,500 never came back. Of the staff of the Grimsby district 234 went and there 18 that never returned. It was gratifying that the staff had thought it wise to erect that memorial to the service these men “for the lives they have given that we might live”. I have nothing more to say but this; “May their souls rest in peace.” Mr. W. Hawkins, the chief superintendent thanked the Mayor on behalf of the staff, and a simple but very solemn ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.” The memorial is in a good condition and clearly polished every day. It’s maintained by the Post Office.
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GRIMSBY POST OFFICE In memory of the following members of the staff who lost their lives in the Great War./ [names in 2 columns]/ “Their Name liveth for Evermore”

S.R.P. Breeze R.E. Parr F. Davison J. H. Taylor W. D. Goodship B. Waltham A. L. Hewitt J. W. Wheatley A. Hopkin J. W. Wiles W.E. Johnson E. J. Willerton W. H. Lucas W. H. Woods A. M. Maidens S. A. Wright W. J. Osborne E. Wright

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