Choosing a design for Stockwell War Memorial © South London Press
South London Press, 5 August 1919
STOCKWELL WAR MEMORIAL.
Design Not Yet Decided Upon.
THE PRESENT POSITION.
Though no definite form for the proposed memorial at Stockwell to men who have fallen in, or returned from the war has yet been accepted by the committee, a design has been submitted by Mr Norman Tyrrell, a young sculptor, of Clapham-rd., and the committee are open to receive other suggestions for the memorial.
Mr Tyrrel’s design, which is on view in the shop window of Mr. Philip Bryman, Stockwell-rd., has been generally admired. It is in the form of a clock tower mounted by a figure of a soldier in full active service dress, with steel helmet, and on the sides are figures emblematic of the war. Around the base are tablets for the names of all Stockwell men who died serving their country, the whole presenting a most effective design.
Whatever memorial the committee propose to erect has to be approved by the Lambeth Borough Council and as has been stated, the committee, in an endeavour to erect a memorial worthy of all concerned, have not yet decided upon the form.
A site for the memorial has been secured in what is known as the Triangle at the junction of Clapham and South Lambeth-rds., and negotiations are proceeding for the proper conveyance of the site to the Lambeth Borough Council. At their last meeting the Council had the matter before them, and agreed to take over and maintain the site and the memorial subject to its proper conveyance to the Council and to the character and design of the memorial being first approved by the General Purposes Committee of the Borough Council.
The subscription list has not yet closed down, and though a goodly sum, round about £1,000 has been received, more is still needed. Mr. Samuel Bowller, 282, Clapham-rd., S.W., is the hon. secretary and Mr. S. H. Smith, Barclay’s Bank, Clapham, hon. treasurer. The Executive Committee consists of Mr. J. A. Wheeler (chairman) and Messrs. H. C. Howard, G. Hawes, P. Bryman, H. King and W. K. Wise.
In an interview with a “South London Press” representative, Mr. Samuel Bowller (hon. secretary) said that having gone so far with the whole scheme, the committee were determined to carry it through and make a thorough good job of it. There has been a considerable amount of legal difficulty over the site, but the negotiations are now proceeding, though some time would elapse before they are completed. The ground had laid practically undisturbed for a great many years, but, said Mr. Bowller, “it cannot be denied that the site is a magnificent one.”
Outlining the origin of the scheme, Mr. Bowller said that as the result of the public meeting held in January last between £300 and £400 was raised, and now, the fund amounted to over £900. “The committee are of the opinion,” Mr. Bowller continued, “that some of the influential residents of the district should take upon themselves the duty of providing some of the bronzes, or a clock, or railings, on the memorial, when the design is finally decided upon. By so doing a great deal will be taken off the shoulders of the committee and will ease the financial position accordingly.”
Concluding, Mr. Bowller said the committee hoped that during the coming season local people would arrange dances, concerts, etc., for the benefit of the fund, and that the time was now opportune for the young men of the district to form themselves into working committees to collect subscriptions. The committee were also willing to consider the formation of ladies’ committees with the same object.
