To help the people of Beverley to mark the anniversary next year of 100 years since the start of the First World War, the Beverley and Rural Community Partnership are considering a bid for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a suitable project for the town. It is hoped that a bid may be made to fund the restoration and re-instatement where necessary of the town’s former rolls of honour.
There used to be around 40 rolls of honour in the town, recording the names of those who left Beverley to serve during the war. The location of 29 of these is still known, but some were put inside buildings that have been demolished in later years, or possibly put into storage, or even erected in a different location.
East Riding of Yorkshire councillor Dominic Peacock who is also a member of the British Legion commented: “We very much hope that some people in the town may know where the ‘missing’ rolls of honour have gone to, or at least may have some information about them. We are hoping that there may perhaps be photographs of them, or any other supporting information, and that people will let us know.”
The project aiming to restore the rolls of honour was suggested following a meeting between the Beverley Renaissance Partnership, the town’s Civic Society, the Royal British Legion and SSAFA.
Councillor David Elvidge, who has strong links with the armed forces, added:
“We very much hope that we will at this stage be able to gather enough evidence about the rolls of honour in order to be able to put together a coherent bid for funding from the HLF. It would be a very fitting tribute to those former servicemen and women of the town.”
Anybody with any information about the ‘missing’ rolls of honour is asked to contact Brad Webster, community partnership co-coordinator at the council, on (01482) 391431 or on email at brad.webster@eastriding.gov.uk
