In mid 1920, despite appeals and the presence of Princess Beatrice at a bazaar in aid of the Erection Fund, the Memorial Committee had still not raised enough money to build the memorial. They widened their efforts to include a fete and gymkhana at the Stockwell Road tennis grounds.

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South London Press
25 June 1920

STOCKWELL WAR MEMORIAL.
Successful Fete and Gymkhana in Aid of Funds.
In aid of the Stockwell War Memorial a successful fete and gymkhana was held on the tennis ground, a the Brixton end of Stockwell-rd., on Wednesday. It was well patronised and the fund should benefit considerably. Music was supplied by Spurgeon’s Orphanage Band, and in addition to the amusements, such as swings, roundabouts, etc., there were a number of special shows, including a mystery post, in charge of Mrs. H. W. Norman, and a baby show, the judges being Mrs. E. Pearson and Nurse McWilliam. Refreshments were in charge of Mesdames C. Ashton and S. H. Stanley. There was a large number of helpers and stallholders, who were most assiduous in their duties. Races and competitions provided plenty of amusement to the large number who visited the grounds.

The fete was organised by the Committee of the Stockwell War Memorial Fund.

The fund-raising committee was still short of funds for the construction of the memorial. By this stage the designs had been exhibited at the Palladium Cinema at 221 Clapham Road (the building is now a bar) and the finalist chosen by members of the Royal Academy. However, shortage of money was jeopardising the plans. This short article appeared in the South London Press on 18 June 1920.

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STOCKWELL WAR MEMORIAL.
More Money Still Required Before Building Can be Commenced.

Funds are still needed for the Stockwell Memorial Fund before the building of the handsome design can be commenced. The original estimate has had to be revised owing to the increased price of building material, and to aid the fund a gymkhana is being held on June 23 on the tennis ground at the Brixton end of Stockwell-rd. Some generous offers towards the fund had been received but, as stated, more is required. The site for the memorial is at the junction of South Lambeth-rd. and Stockwell-rd.

The South London Press published this story on 6 February 1920. The legal issues surrounding the handover of the site to Lambeth Borough Council had been resolved and it would shortly be handed over.

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STOCKWELL WAR MEMORIAL

Site Shortly to be Handed Over to Borough Council

A general committee of the Stockwell War Memorial held in the Stockwell Palladium (lent by the management) was attended by Sir C. H. Gibbs and Messrs. Wheeler (chairman), Bryman, Streeter, King, Wise, Young and Councillor Morgan, and about 20 of the general committee.

The hon. secretary (Mr. S. Bowller) presented a report on progress made and Mr. Tom Parsons (hon. solicitor) stated that the site would shortly be ready to hand over to the Lambeth Borough Council.

Sir Chas. H. Gibbs praised the work done and expressed hope that the business people of the neighbourhood would come forward and help in this worthy object.

The secretary announced that the committee would shortly be in a position to exhibit at the Stockwell Palladium the designs that had been sent in for the memorial.

Various methods of raising the money still required were discussed and a programme was arranged. The only thing now necessary is practical help from as many workers as possible to carry out the programme arranged. About 1,000 is still required and residents of Stockwell and district are invited to come forward and help the committee in the task they have before them of purchasing tickets for the various efforts. The next is a dance at Prince’s Hall, Lambeth Baths, on March 9. Subscriptions will be gladly received by the hon. secretary, 282, Clapham-rd., S.W.9.

The fund for the Stockwell Memorial appears to have stalled at around £1000. The Committee had already organised “working parties” to raise money in their neighbourhoods, but clearly needed to up the game. An evening of entertainment was held at the Stockwell Palladium Cinema on Tuesday 11 November 1919.

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FOR THE STOCKWELL FUND.

Successful Performances at Local Cinema

Two very successful performances were given at the Stockwell Palladium on Tuesday in aid of the Stockwell Memorial Fund, and the Committee hope, as a result, to add about £100 to the fund. The management very kindly lent the handsome hall for the purpose, and Mr. Francis (the manager) did all he could to ensure the success of the performances. The orchestra, capably led by Mr. H. Martyn van Lennep, discoursed pleasing selections, and the pictures, which had been carefully selected, included a Mary Pickford film, and of course “Charlie Chaplin.” A number of talented artistes rendered items during the performances, those helping including Mr. H. G. Harrison with his aeola, Mrs. H. Martyn van Lennep, who contributed by special request, “The Bells of St Mary,” Miss Florence Potz, Miss Doris Pullman, Mr. Arthur Thomas, Mr. John Wise and Miss M. Stoddart. Between the performances the Brixton and Clapham Silver Band played musical selections.

During the interval Clr. Dr. R. Pearson gave a brief address, observing that the fund was one they could all help, whether they had suffered by the war or not. He instances the nobility of the services rendered by the men who had fallen, and appealed for help for the fund, stating that Mr. Samuel Bowller, 282, Clapham-rd., S.W.9, would be pleased to receive donations.

The memorial fund now stands at about £1,000, and the Committee have recently advertised for competitive designs for the memorial. One of the designs sent in is a fine model by Mr. E. K. MacKenzie. The Committee are hoping to secure one or more Royal Academicians to judge the designs, and to select three for final selection by the subscribers.

By 19 September 1919, when this article in the South London Press was published, the site for the proposed Stockwell War Memorial had been chosen (although a design had not). The Stockwell memorial was funded by private donations. £1,000 had been raised, and although there was more work to do, Stockwell was held up as an example of how to get things done.

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WAR MEMORIALS.
Where Private Enterprise Outstrips Public Delay.
MORE COMPLETED SCHEMES
It would seem that in the matter of providing war memorials private endeavour is far ahead of more ambitious schemes. Further details regarding notable permanent tributes, parochial [meaning organised by the parish] and local, are appended.
£1,000. A band of voluntary workers is being organised and a meeting will shortly be held to discuss projects for furthering the scheme. All who are willing to help should communicate with Mr. Samuel Bowller, 282, Clapham-road (the hon. secretary), who wil be pleased to receive donations. Cheques and P.O.’s [postal orders] payable to the Stockwell Memorial Fund should be crossed Barclay’s Bank Ltd.

The memorial is to be placed on the triangle formed by Clapham-road and South Lambeth-road. Designs are being submitted, but the ultimate form will depend largely on the amount of money submitted.

Amount already acknowledged, £921 13s 4d
£10 10s. Sir Davison Dalziel, M.P.;
£5 5s. Mr. S. Sanders, M. R. Beagley
£1 1s. Mr. F. Corben [father of Victor Leslie Corben], Mr. M. A. Crane, Mr H. Crane, Mr. and Mrs. W.Miles;
10s. 6d. Mr. F. H. Webster;
10s. per Mr. Streeter;
5s. Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Morris;
3s. per Mr. J. E. Brook;
2s. 6d. Mrs. Merriman, Miss Bond, Mr. E. W. Brooks.
Box collections: Dr. Caiger [father of Frederick Howard Stewart Caiger] , £1 2s 8d.;
Mr. Saler, 16s.;
Mr. Thompson, 14s. 6d.;
Mr. Dawkins, 14s;
Mr. Wheeler, 12s 2d.;
Mr. Beagley, 11s.;
Mr. Bowller, 10s. 6d.;
Mr. Stanley, 7s. 8d.;
Mr. Regan, 7s. 9d.;
Mr. G. Haines, 4s. 11d.;
Mr. Fuller, 1s. 8d.
Total, £955 5s. 9d.