Unveiling of the New Samuel Morley VC Plaque

at the Grange Hall Radcliffe On Trent

Thursday 12^th August 2010 saw 2 members of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee attend the Fun for Heroes Day, and the unveiling of the new memorial plaque to Samuel Morley VC  at the Grange Hall, Radcliffe On Trent.

Tony Higton the Committee Chairman and Derek Price the Committee Webmaster were invited, and Tony was asked to give a small speech about Samuel Morley VC, which was duly given.

Also in attendance were Mr. John Morley the Great Grandson of Samuel Morley VC, and other members of the Morley family, The Mayor of Rushcliffe Councillor Marie Males, The Chairman of  Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council  Councillor Wally Smith,  Councillor Dave Smith, Councillor Georgia Moore, and Mr. Dave Gibbon, along with other Radcliffe residents who had helped raise the money for the plaque

The unveiling of the plaque was carried out by Mr. John Morley, who gave a small speech of thanks to the Parish Council; this was followed by a reception in the Trent Room.

Both Derek and Tony were then engaged by like minded people who shared the interest of preserving the memory of such brave men, and as normally happens phone numbers and email addresses were exchanged as our circle of friends expands, and as we explained our aspirations for our future projects.

We were most impressed by Dave Gibbons plan to have Samuel Morley’s portrait painted, and the method of how this was going to be achieved, using an old print of Samuel and other family photos.

It was a most enjoyable event and we send our sincere thanks to Radcliffe on Trent Council for inviting us both, the caterers for feeding us, and a special thank you must go to Mike Elliott for organising the event, and by the way Mike is clerk of the Council to an amazing 17 parish councils, a very special man.

NOTTINGHAM BREWERY PRESENTATION

A cheque for £2,500 was presented to the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee by Philip Darby, Managing Director of the Nottingham Brewery, at a small reception held in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem on Wednesday, 4^th August, 2010.

The money was raised from the donation by the Nottingham Brewery of 10p for every pint of Robin Hood Beer (A Hero’s Brew!!) sold.

Tony Higton, the Chairman of our Committee said,” We are delighted to receive this cheque as it now enables us fulfil the goals we set over eighteen months ago.”

A very tasty, and much appreciated buffet was provided for those attending the event by Rosie St.John, the Landlady of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.

The Committee is very grateful to all those Nottinghamshire real ale drinkers out there who tried and enjoyed the wonderful new brew and, at the same time, contributed to the magnificent sum of £2,500 towards the provision and maintenance of a “A Memorial to local VC Heroes” in the grounds of Nottingham Castle. May you have continued power to your elbow!!

PHOTOS

Seen presenting the cheque to our Treasurer, Chris Stewart(right), is Phil Darby, Managing Director of the Nottingham Brewery.

Pictured at the presentation are (from left to right) Phil Darby, Chris Stewart, Tony Higton, David Green and Derek Price.    

The Installation Story

Following months of preparatory work by the committee, the order for the granite for our Victoria Cross Memorial was placed by The Lord Mayor of Nottingham Councillor Jeannie Packer (Our main patron) on the 6^th January 2010, this was to enable the memorial to be installed and dedicated on Friday the 7^th May within the grounds of Nottingham Castle.

The progress made with regards to the delivery of the granite was carefully monitored by Mr. Ben Percival of Ernest Smiths Stonemasons, and after a few hick ups, which were totally out of Bens control, it duly arrived here in England on time (just).

The committee had its first viewing of the memorial, on the 22^nd April, we were invited to view the memorial ready prepared for the lettering to be blasted into the granite, it was our very last chance to make sure we had got it right, and after careful inspection we were all happy for the lettering to proceed.

We were again invited view the memorial with all of the wording cut and the gold leaf lettering in place on Friday 30^th April, and this proved to be a moving experience for all who were there, and indeed it was a joyous occasion for us all, with many photographs being taken, and many questions being asked about the actual installation of this 3 ton block of granite, but we were all satisfied with the replies we received from Ben and his team, and so those of us who could make it would be at Nottingham Castle on the 4^th May to see the granite place in position.

Tuesday the 4^th May, and a cold start to the day, and several of the committee turning up in their new Victoria Cross fleeces, to see the memorial placed in position.  At 9:30 the lorry arrived, ironically the name of the haulage contractor was R. R. Memmory Haulage Ltd. (how very apt.)

So began the delicate operation of unloading the 3 Ton precious cargo, this was carried out with extreme caution with Bens experienced team proving just how a professional team should work together, and after a little bit of manoeuvring the memorial was lowered onto the ICE blocks (an ingenious way of removing the loading straps) and then melting the ice thus lowering the memorial onto its very substantial base. The memorial once in place was grouted in, and bark chippings placed around the memorial where the turf had been removed.

Friday 7^th May 2010, the day of the unveiling of the New Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Memorial in the grounds of Nottingham Castle, and a cold early morning start, with members of the organising committee arriving early at 09:30, and the memorial stone being given a last polish before the Union Jack was draped over it.

Although we were due to start the proceedings at 1:30 pm we already had people gathering before 11:30.  At 11:45 our official photographer Gill Shaw arrived and we had a group committee photograph with the memorial prior to the proceedings beginning.

Our distinguished civic dignitaries began arriving at 12:30 and these included the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Sir Andrew Buchanan, Mr John (Jack) Bamford a holder of the George Cross, The Lord Mayor of Nottingham Councillor Jeannie Packer who has been most supportive of this project  and helped in so many ways with the fund raising,

 Also in attendance were several Nottinghamshire Council Chief Executives and Borough Mayors, along with many other civic dignitaries, along with Business leaders from the County, which included Mr Chris Holmes the Managing Director of The Castle Rock Brewery, and with representatives from the F.H. Mall, and Mr. Phil Darby from the Nottingham Brewery.

The Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Bamford, and the Lord Mayor were escorted by Sergeant Peter Higton a serving sergeant of the  Royal Air Force.

At Precisely 13:45 the parade which consisted of The Royal British Legion Standards, The Mercian Regimental Ram (Corporal Derby) and his handlers, 30 members of the Royal Engineers, members of the Great War Society in World War One uniforms, The Albert Ball Air Cadets, and various other military representatives,  began to march from the Robin Hood statue outside the grounds of Nottingham Castle, they then proceeded through the main gates up to the memorial area, and how proud they made us all feel.

The Reverend Stephen Morris began the service at 2:00pm with his opening remarks, this was followed by the Lord Lieutenants Sir Andrew Buchanans speech, this was followed with a speech by Mr. Tony Higton the Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee Chairman. The service was then continued by the reverend Stephen Morris, and wreaths were laid.

 Mr. John Jackson Chairman of the Nottinghamshire British Legion then read out the names and regiments of the 20 Victoria Cross holders.  The service then continued with prayers, and the Homage which was spoken by Mr. John Jackson, which was then followed by The Last Post with 2 minutes silence and Reveille, and finally Mr. Chris Stewart with the Kohima.

The official photos were then taken by Gill Shaw who was ably assisted by Mr. Derek Price.

The parade was then reformed and marched away, with the Lord Lieutenant taking the salute whilst stood at the Albert Ball Memorial Statue with Mr. Bamford and the Lord Mayor.

Members of the public were then free to take their own photographs around the memorial, and after half an hour the committee retired to the Canalhouse  public house where a light buffet was provided, and this rounded off  a very special day for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Later that evening in the grounds of Nottingham Castle, an annual service to mark the death of Albert Ball VC  took place, following the service the large contingent of Air Cadets march passed the New Victoria Cross Memorial and a salute was taken, and the Air Cadets standards were also lowered.

The Memorial prior to the Service of Dedication in the grounds of Nottingham Castle.

The Committee and Patrons

Left to right Norman Packer, Ben Percival, Tony Higton, Peter Higton, Derek Price, Mike Gee MBE (Patron), Dot Gee (Patron), Chris Stewart, Geoff Allen

Royal Engineers on Parade

Victoria Cross recipients familys

Samuel Morley VC's Great Grandson and family

The Plaque to Samuel Morley VC in the entrance to The Grange Hall

The Mayor of Rushcliffe Councillor Marie Males, The Chairman of  Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council  Councillor Wally Smith and Tony Higton

The Mayor of Rushcliffe Councillor Marie Males, The Chairman of  Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council  Councillor Wally Smith, Derek Price and Councillor Dave Smith