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The ABW and Great War memorial tablets are now both in Selby Cemetery, having originally been placed in the Volunteer Drill Hall.


There was a large gathering at the Selby Volunteer Drill Hall on Thursday night, where Ethel Lady Beaumont, of Carlton Towers, unveiled a war tablet which had been erected to the memory of the Selby men who served in the recent South African campaign. Colonel White, V.D., commanding the 1st Volunteer Battalion P.W.O. West Yorkshire Regiment, presided, and supporting him were Lieutenant Hawdon, V.D., and Mrs Hawdon, Lieutenant Huffam (commanding the Selby Company) and Mrs Huffam, Lieutenant and Mrs Thompson, Superintendent and Mrs Birkhead, and Mr and Mrs R. Hodgson.
It was stated that the subscriptions were almost equal to the sum expended, and that every member of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association had contributed.

Hull Daily Mail, Friday 29th July 1904

A lovely monument very well recorded and documented. Many thanks, Berenice.

Hi BereniceUK
You have a great knowledge of these memorials and monuments. Please could you correct my possible misunderstanding?
I have always assumed that memorial tablets recorded those who had died in their service.
Your Selby memorial post seems to contain a list of those who served and also those who died in their service.
I ask because I am interested in T Monkman who is on the memorial but his service record shows he completed service and returned home.
Regards

Hi. I don't think I have great knowledge, but I love to do follow-up research on those who served, and I do seem to have a knack for finding family memorials in churchyards and cemeteries. Or maybe I just have the patience to go round checking inscriptions.

As I see it, a memorial commemorates those who have died, even if no-one is actually named, e.g. "In memory of the fallen of this place." A roll of honour commemorates those who served, whether in a specific company, battalion, or regiment, or individuals from a village or town - the Horbury, Yorkshire, roll of honour names 29 men from the town who served in South Africa, but fails to mention that one of the men died there. The majority of memorials seem to remember those who were volunteers or were called up, not the regular soldiers. There was no set rule, and as this was the first war to really inspire public remembrance of Tommy Atkins as an individual, there are lots of different designs all around the UK, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

The one at Selby is primarily a roll of honour for the men of Selby who served as volunteers in the West Yorkshire Regiment, three of whom died on active service. Unusually, the names of two Selby men who served and died with other regiments were added.

Berenice
Indeed an imposing Memorial and Roll of Honour. Thanks also for your welcome definitions of the two. Regarding your knowledge, I think you do yourself an injustice.
Regarding the names of those who died, Palmer tells us that -
"6161 Pte. W. Adamson, 2EYorks" - Died of Disease, Bloemfontein 14/5/01.
"4734 Pte. H.Southwood, 19H" - Died of Disease, Standerton, 16/5/02.
"Pte J.W.Acaster" - unfortunately, no entry. Perhaps he died post war?

"Dr. W.Clark, RFA" - looks like "6325 Gnr. W. Clark, Killed Pretoria, Ammunition Park, 22/11/00, unit not stated".
"2961 Pte. J.Gallagher, KoYLI" killed Brakenlaagte, 30/10/01 2 YLI with 3rd MI.
Best regards
IL.

In addition, the "Sgt.Instr. E.F.Ford, DSM" is 1939 Sgt. E.Ford, West Yorkshire Reg, DCM. Distinguished Conduct Medal being awarded for Monte Cristo, 19/2/00. Details from Sir. R.Buller's recommendations of 30/3/1900. Details being " When both his Company Officers were shot, he commanded his Company with cool judgement and courage".

A very fine memorial, hope it is weather proofed!

A follow up on casualties from The Register:
Acaster - Pte Vol Coy West York 5169 Enteric Charlestown 12-06-1902
Clark RFA is also on the Yorkshire County memorial so this probably him

Trying to identify those served in other units, there are two Pte E Sullivan born in Selby who served in the War: Pte 8446 Coldstream Guards or Pte 4514 4th bn West Yorkshire Rgt.

Take your pick!