Stockwell War Memorial

Friends of Stockwell War Memorial & Gardens

History of Stockwell War Memorial

1919: “An excellent site has been chosen”

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1919: Plans are progressing © South London Press
1919: Plans are progressing © South London Press
On 29 August 1919 the South London Press updated the readership on progress on the Stockwell War Memorial, which was independently commissioned. At this stage, the site – the “Triangle” at the junction of South Lambeth Road and Clapham Road, on the last vestige of the old Stockwell Common – has been chosen. Lambeth Borough Council will be responsible for the upkeep of the memorial as long as it has approved the design.

STOCKWELL MOVING.
In a recent issue of the “South London Press,” a report was given as to the progress of the proposed war memorial at Stockwell. Close upon £1,000 has been subscribed, with an excellent site has been chosen at the junction of Clapham and South Lambeth-roads – an open space in the prominent position in a main thoroughfare. An excellent design has been submitted by Mr. Normal Tyrrel, but the committee have not yet come to the decision, and others are to be submitted.

There is some difficulty over the site, which is now being negotiated for. About 1843 John Notley was admitted copyhold tenant of the land and built eight houses, leaving the triangular site as an open space. When he died he left the property to trustees “for such of my children as might be owners of houses in Stockwell-crescent, and a house on the Angell Estate (now 252a, South Lambeth-rd.), fronting the piece of ground, upon the condition that the said space should always remain open and unbuilt upon.” Mr. Notley had three daughters, one of whom is dead, and an effort is now being made to trace the remaining two. These ladies, or their surviving relatives, have to consent to the Council taking over the land.

The Lambeth Borough Council have agreed to take over and maintain the site and the memorial, subject to the proper conveyance of the site being made ot the Council and to the character and design of the memorial being first approved by the General Purpose Committee on behalf of the Council.

© South London Press

1919: Choosing a design

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Choosing a design for Stockwell War Memorial © South London Press
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.

1918: Mr Wheeler writes to South London Press

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Mr Wheeler proposes a memorial at Stockwell © South London Press
Mr Wheeler proposes a memorial at Stockwell © South London Press

On 29 October 1918, this letter from Mr. J. A. Wheeler, appeared in the South London Press

PROPOSED STOCKWELL MEMORIAL.
To the Editor, “South London Press.”
Sir. – A movement is on foot in this district to erect a permanent memorial to the men of the neighbourhood who have fallen, and to those who return when peace is declared. The preliminary step has been taken by forming a Provisional committee to collect the names of ladies and gentlemen who will support the object. A committee meeting has been called at the Stockwell Palladium Picture Palace, for next Monday evening at 8.30 p.m. and I am instructed to invite any resident who desires to support the movement. I shall be glad if this short notice will be accepted as a very cordial invitation by those who have not yet been approached.
Thanking you in anticipation of the insertion of this letter,
Yours faithfully.
J. A. WHEELER
292, Clapham-rd., S.W. 9.
Convener
Continue reading the story of how the Stockwell Memorial was built

© South London Press