Stockwell War Memorial

Friends of Stockwell War Memorial & Gardens

1922: Dr. Foord Caiger gives the clock in memory of his only child

by

doctors gift

Dr. Foord Caiger, whose son Frederick Caiger died on 11 November 1916, donated the clock on the memorial tower. The following report appeared in the South London Press on 22 February 1922

SOUTH LONDON PRESS
22 February 1922

A DOCTOR’S GIFT TO STOCKWELL.
War Memorial Clock Presented by Father of a Fallen Hero.
TRIBUTE TO A NATIVE.
The clock, which the Stockwell War Memorial Committee needed to place in the tower or memorial, and which was referred to in the “South London Press” last week, has been presented by Dr. F. Foord Caiger, of the South Western Hospital, Stockwell, as a tribute to the memory of his only son, who fell in the battle of the Somme at the age of 19. The committee are most grateful to Dr. Caiger for his prompt and generous response and feel that his gift is worth infinitely more from the motives inspiring it.

Dr. Foord Caiger’s letter, addressed to Mr. S. Bowller, hon. secretary of the Memorial Committee, was as follows:-

There need be no anxiety about the clock. I will be responsible for it, and indeed, shall be very pleased to give it as a tribute to the memory of my only son, who fell in the battle of the Somme at the early age of 19. When a war memorial was first mooted I intended offering to provide the clock, but on hearing that someone else had already done so, said nothing about it. The idea of placing a clock at the “Swan” corner appealed to me very strongly, as not only likely to prove a convenience to those living in the vicinity and to the many passers-by at a spot which has become a busy traffic centre, but a clock struck me as such a “live” and appropriate tribute to one who was born and always lived in Stockwell, and who entertained a warm affection for his home.

The committee is now desirous of proceeding at once with the work of inscribing the roll of honour in order to be ready for the unveiling ceremony, two months hence, and hope someone will offer to defray the cost. Mr. Samuel Bowller, the hon. secretary, of 282, Clapham-rd., will answer inquiries regarding the styles and cost of naming now being considered, which vary between £80 and £200.