Walls of remembrance unveiled in Southampton (From Daily Echo)
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Walls of remembrance unveiled in Southampton
10:30am Saturday 12th November 2011 in Southampton Cenotaph
IT was a moment when one generation reached out to another.
Children and teenagers stood shoulder to shoulder with veterans, families and widows to remember the ultimate sacrifices of those who remain forever young.
Shortly before a moving silence marking Armistice Day, pupils from across Southampton lined up in front of what symbolises the city’s continuing gratitude to these lost men and boys.
Following a countdown they unveiled new memorial walls beside the city’s cenotaph, in Watts Park, all made possible by their fundraising help. Then the Mayor of Southampton Councillor Terry Matthews officially blessed the green reinforced glass walls listing the city’s war dead.
Cllr John Hannides, Cabinet member for resources, leisure and culture at the city council, said: “The walls stand as a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all Southampton’s war dead.”
The Daily Echo and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce-backed project was commissioned by Southampton City Council two years ago to safeguard the names of the 1,992 First World War dead inscribed on the Portland stone cenotaph, which are in danger of being eroded.
The new panels have been etched with the names already on the cenotaph, together with 376 not recorded on its roll of honour, as well as the 927 killed during the Second World War and three in conflicts since.
Archie Parsons, from the Southampton branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “This is long overdue and important for relatives and loved ones.”
Then, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, a klaxon air raid siren wailed in the distance before the mournful sounding of the Last Post and a two-minute silence. A foghorn blast of the passenger ship Independence of the Seas, berthed in the docks, marked the end of the silence.
Doreen Allen, 87, from Romsey, who lost family members during the Second World War, said: “It brings back so many memories for me. It is wonderful to have so many young people here.”
A fundraising campaign is continuing to pay for the memorial walls.
Click here for details on how to donate.
Comments(15)
bobbyboy
says...
12:35pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Lord Ikea
says...
12:40pm Sat 12 Nov 11
If anybody vandalises these walls they should be dealt with the full force of the law
Rob444
says...
12:54pm Sat 12 Nov 11
They always seem to do things on the cheap, yet have plenty to spend on trivial projects.
joenice1
says...
1:44pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Rob444 wrote:Don't agree, I think this is actually really nice.
This is a damning indictment of Southampton Council, too miserly to have the job done properly (re-engraving of the stone cenotaph). They always seem to do things on the cheap, yet have plenty to spend on trivial projects.
Was not sure, but after looking at it I was very very impressed the city has done the best thing possible to
remember. (the glass also has the potential to have all the names more readable and last longer)
Well done to all who did this.
HillsidePaul
says...
1:48pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Rob444 wrote:This Tory Council is indeed an total mess but on this occasion not at fault.
This is a damning indictment of Southampton Council, too miserly to have the job done properly (re-engraving of the stone cenotaph).
They always seem to do things on the cheap, yet have plenty to spend on trivial projects.
the Cenotaph it a listed monument that has to be carefully preserved. Re-engraving would have created more problems and caused more damage. The only safe course of action to preserve all the names (and add new ones) was a separate and complimentary memorial.
southamptongeordie
says...
2:52pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Most of the names on the old monument have not been visible for years and only the eagle eyed would have ever been able to read the names near the top.
Congratulations this is a superb effort involving many people and they should all be congratulated.
Condor Man
says...
3:57pm Sat 12 Nov 11
From the Edge
says...
6:17pm Sat 12 Nov 11
As a former soldier who has seen first hand the horrors of war, I honestly believe a better job could have been.
I have respect every name on the panels however I no respect for Cllr Hannidies or Smith who have chosen the cheap option.
Sorry If I have offended anyone.
dolomiteman
says...
8:45pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Well done to all invovled.
dolomiteman
says...
8:48pm Sat 12 Nov 11
Lord Ikea wrote:What, have free meals and a holiday, NO they should be dealt with full force of our military service somewhere far away from the comforts of home.
Well Done Southampton Indeed...... If anybody vandalises these walls they should be dealt with the full force of the law
Scrutinizer
says...
9:39pm Sat 12 Nov 11
jersey_girl
says...
5:49am Sun 13 Nov 11
southy
says...
9:49am Sun 13 Nov 11
From the Edge wrote:Agreed looks nice but it do look cheap, I think it would of look better if they had a stone wall built with the names on it.
I'm sorry but I find the glass panels not a fitting tribute, I said it during the consultation and I will say it again, it looks cheap.
As a former soldier who has seen first hand the horrors of war, I honestly believe a better job could have been.
I have respect every name on the panels however I no respect for Cllr Hannidies or Smith who have chosen the cheap option.
Sorry If I have offended anyone.
I have notice how ever it still don't have the names of the mine sweeper that was lost on the night of June 4/5th just off the D-day beaches.
freemantlegirl2
says...
3:18pm Sun 13 Nov 11
bobbyboy says...
12:31pm Sat 12 Nov 11