WAR MEMORIALS IN THE PARISH OF NORTHOP
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
The Evening Leader writes up another story from the website and do Griff and Will proud! Many thanks to Jane Bradshaw for writing such a lovely letter to the newspaper
This time the Evening Leader tells the story which gave us great satisfaction. Many thanks again to Mr Ron Cartwright.
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I,164 Visits
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I,164 Visits
Thank you for looking at our website. We would love to hear from you. Please send us a message on our guest book telling us what you think about the site or any ideas you have for developing it.
Our Day Out and a Big Blue Book
Last Tuesday Eif and I went on a big trip on a train. We had travelled before on the railway line that follows the coast from Pwllheli. In fact we'd been as far as Barmouth (which is full of interesting antique and junk shops), but this time we had decided to go all the way to Aberystwyth. We had an early start (7.30am) on a blue, sunny but cold, cold day. It was perfect and stunningly beautiful. The moutains on our left were snow covered and the sea on our right reflected the blue sky. The railway hugs the coast so closely that there are times when you're practically on the beach. It must be one of the prettiest lines in the rail network, taking you alongside dunes, marshes, muddy boaty creeks, cliffs, grazing land, beaches and rivers. We saw oyster catchers, curlews, herons, mallards, shell ducks, Canada geese, swans and any amount of sea gulls. Our best bird as we were nearing Aberystwyth was a beautiful, gliding red kyte. Two things spoiled the view from time to time. The first was the debris and litter, blown from the sea and collected along walls and fences which was especially awful between Pwllheli and Criccieth. Can't somebody organise its removal? The second lot of eyesores were the numerous bleak regimented sites of mobile homes which were real blots on the stunning landscape. Couldn't somebody plant a few trees or shrubs to screen them a bit? Do they have to be in serried rows?
However, the overall journey was lovely. The train was warm and clean, on time and cheap! We had to change in Machynllyth - or 'Mach' as the helpful female conductor referred to it. We had to wait 45 minutes in this nice little station although the waiting room is a souless, unattractive room with stained polystyrene ceiling tiles, shabby paintwork and a grubby floor. There is a little cafe in there and we had a good , hot cup of coffee as we waited. Our next train was also absolutely punctual and off we set for Aberystwyth which didn't take very long.
We spent the afternoon in The National Library of Wales which is a majestic building overlooking Aberystwyth. We had to organise our readers tickets first which was a painless procedure involving us completing an on - line proforma, showing two proofs of identity and having a photograph taken. Within seconds we were clutching our newly produced plastic tickets. Our next stop was the restaurant where we bought our lunch. Everything looked lovely, it was fresh, healthy, home cooked fare but I warn you, they cook their food without use of seasoning, herbs, spices or flavouring of any kind. It was the blandest food I have ever eaten. I digress.
We made our way to one of the Reading Rooms where we asked a member of staff if we could look at Ref NLW 'Minor Deposit 721B'. The man said it would take about 45 minutes to locate this book and get it to the Reading Room. Whilst we waited Eif and I played with the on - line catalogues trying to fathom if there was anything of relevence to our website. Eventually I returned to the desk and asked if our book had arrived. He gave me a funny look and grinned and said that yes it had arrived and he turned his head slightly and looked at a very large black wooden box that was sitting on top of a trolly. It took two men to push the trolly to a desk and with some difficulty, they lifted the box onto the desk. With even greater difficulty, they manouvred the book out of the box and placed it in front of us on the desk. The librarian said he had never seen anything quite like it.
Eif and I looked down in amazement. We hadn't expected anything like this. We were looking at a handsome, absolutely enormous (35 cms wide, 45cms long and 16 cms thick), blue leather-bound book which had the title embossed in gold on the front. It said
However, the overall journey was lovely. The train was warm and clean, on time and cheap! We had to change in Machynllyth - or 'Mach' as the helpful female conductor referred to it. We had to wait 45 minutes in this nice little station although the waiting room is a souless, unattractive room with stained polystyrene ceiling tiles, shabby paintwork and a grubby floor. There is a little cafe in there and we had a good , hot cup of coffee as we waited. Our next train was also absolutely punctual and off we set for Aberystwyth which didn't take very long.
We spent the afternoon in The National Library of Wales which is a majestic building overlooking Aberystwyth. We had to organise our readers tickets first which was a painless procedure involving us completing an on - line proforma, showing two proofs of identity and having a photograph taken. Within seconds we were clutching our newly produced plastic tickets. Our next stop was the restaurant where we bought our lunch. Everything looked lovely, it was fresh, healthy, home cooked fare but I warn you, they cook their food without use of seasoning, herbs, spices or flavouring of any kind. It was the blandest food I have ever eaten. I digress.
We made our way to one of the Reading Rooms where we asked a member of staff if we could look at Ref NLW 'Minor Deposit 721B'. The man said it would take about 45 minutes to locate this book and get it to the Reading Room. Whilst we waited Eif and I played with the on - line catalogues trying to fathom if there was anything of relevence to our website. Eventually I returned to the desk and asked if our book had arrived. He gave me a funny look and grinned and said that yes it had arrived and he turned his head slightly and looked at a very large black wooden box that was sitting on top of a trolly. It took two men to push the trolly to a desk and with some difficulty, they lifted the box onto the desk. With even greater difficulty, they manouvred the book out of the box and placed it in front of us on the desk. The librarian said he had never seen anything quite like it.
Eif and I looked down in amazement. We hadn't expected anything like this. We were looking at a handsome, absolutely enormous (35 cms wide, 45cms long and 16 cms thick), blue leather-bound book which had the title embossed in gold on the front. It said
1914
1919
Record
Of the Men of Flintshire
Who served in
The Forces of the Crown
In The Great War
1919
Record
Of the Men of Flintshire
Who served in
The Forces of the Crown
In The Great War
This was the book we had come to see. The book we had known about from when we had first started the website. After the war, as we know, Flintshire set itself the monumental task or recording the names of every man who served in the war. This was done, parish by parish and the information was collected on index cards, one per serviceman. We know that in Northop Parish, the Headmaster, Mr Richardson, played a huge part in completing the cards. Eventually, all the cards were handed over to a Mr Albert Edwards of 12 Gladstone Street in Mold. (We are still trying to find out more about Mr Edwards but early indications suggest that he might well have been a solicitor's clerk). Mr Edwards then took on the task of transcribing every detail on the cards onto pages for this book. In his faultless copperplate handwriting, on the thick parchment- like paper, every name, rank, service number, was entered. Parish by parish, every one recorded with any special notes about medals or woundings or deaths. The book was arranged into towns or villages alphabetically and at the top of each page it says,
County of Flint
Official Record of the Patriotism
and Sacrifice of the County Men
who served in HM forces during the
1914 Great War 1919
Official Record of the Patriotism
and Sacrifice of the County Men
who served in HM forces during the
1914 Great War 1919
At the foot of each page there appears the signature of Henry Gladstone, Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire, whose own son was killed in the war.
We don't have any idea how long it took him to complete all the pages but eventually they were bound together into the volume we were now leafing through (very carefully). The insides of the blue leather covers were lined with beautiful blue silk. The title page repeated the title on the front of the book and was decorated with gold leaf. Modestly in the bottom right hand corner of a front blank page it says
We don't have any idea how long it took him to complete all the pages but eventually they were bound together into the volume we were now leafing through (very carefully). The insides of the blue leather covers were lined with beautiful blue silk. The title page repeated the title on the front of the book and was decorated with gold leaf. Modestly in the bottom right hand corner of a front blank page it says
Engrossed by
Albert Edwards
12 Gladstone Street
Mold
Flintshire
Albert Edwards
12 Gladstone Street
Mold
Flintshire
Engrossed is an old legal/printers term meaning to write or print the final draft of an official document. The next two pages each carried an example of the certificates that Flintshire presented. The first to'Honour and Welcome the Living' and the second to 'Honour and Remember the Dead'. We have seen a number of these certificates and they appear on a number of pages on the website.
One problem with trying to read the book, is that it is difficult to read the names that appear in the central pages. This is because the volume is bound quite tightly and through lack of use, the pages won't open flat and certainly we wern't going to be the ones to apply pressure. All of the information in the book is readily available at Hawarden Archive Office but the book in Aberystwyth is a sight to behold.
When it was finished the book was presented to the National Library in what was the final gesture in this catalogue of gestures. No other county in Wales recorded all their serving men. Flintshire was unique. It is probably right and proper that this national treasure should be in the National Library of Wales but wouldn't it be nice if it could come home to Flintshire just for a visit once in a while?
We had time to look at a lovely exhibition before we left the library. It consisted mostly of the Welsh paintings collected by Winifred Coombe Tennant (1874 -1956) a worthy lady who was a great patron of art in Wales.
We stayed the night in a hotel in Aberystwyth - 'The Four Seasons' which was warm and clean and everything worked although service in the restaurant was a little eccentric. Our meal there that night was really delicious but our waiter (the proprietor) lost interest in us after the main course and disappeared.
The next morning we gave over to mooching around Aberystwyth which we found to be a bit of a dump. The population is 12000 plus 10,000 students! That kind of imbalance skews a place and distorts what it was. There is much lovely architecture - imposing Edwardian and Victorian houses which have been divided up into student bedsits and they are easy to pick out with shabby (if any) curtains, piles of cardboard boxes in the windows and other distinguishing, studenty features. There seemed to be a preponderance of grey woodchip wallpaper and 70s styled pine cladded counters in shops and cafes. There are, not surprisingly, plenty of good bookshops and we found the best one. It was called 'Llyfrau Ystwyth Books' which was on Princess Street. We spent ages in there and bought a few books including one called 'The Welsh Quotation Book' edited by Roger Thomas. One of the quotations in it reads
'The inaccessibility of Aberystwyth to the outside world must be accepted as a dispensation of Providence. Such a town deserves to be isolated.'
Thomas Davies 1884
Well I'm very glad that the railway carried us to isolated Aberystwyth. The town leaves much to be desired but we left happy and satisfied that we had seen that wonderful book. I think Mr Albert Edwards of 12 Gladstone Street, Mold, would have been very pleased to know that we made the trip and admired the result of his painstaking labour and devotion.
Viv Williams (9th March 2008)
One problem with trying to read the book, is that it is difficult to read the names that appear in the central pages. This is because the volume is bound quite tightly and through lack of use, the pages won't open flat and certainly we wern't going to be the ones to apply pressure. All of the information in the book is readily available at Hawarden Archive Office but the book in Aberystwyth is a sight to behold.
When it was finished the book was presented to the National Library in what was the final gesture in this catalogue of gestures. No other county in Wales recorded all their serving men. Flintshire was unique. It is probably right and proper that this national treasure should be in the National Library of Wales but wouldn't it be nice if it could come home to Flintshire just for a visit once in a while?
We had time to look at a lovely exhibition before we left the library. It consisted mostly of the Welsh paintings collected by Winifred Coombe Tennant (1874 -1956) a worthy lady who was a great patron of art in Wales.
We stayed the night in a hotel in Aberystwyth - 'The Four Seasons' which was warm and clean and everything worked although service in the restaurant was a little eccentric. Our meal there that night was really delicious but our waiter (the proprietor) lost interest in us after the main course and disappeared.
The next morning we gave over to mooching around Aberystwyth which we found to be a bit of a dump. The population is 12000 plus 10,000 students! That kind of imbalance skews a place and distorts what it was. There is much lovely architecture - imposing Edwardian and Victorian houses which have been divided up into student bedsits and they are easy to pick out with shabby (if any) curtains, piles of cardboard boxes in the windows and other distinguishing, studenty features. There seemed to be a preponderance of grey woodchip wallpaper and 70s styled pine cladded counters in shops and cafes. There are, not surprisingly, plenty of good bookshops and we found the best one. It was called 'Llyfrau Ystwyth Books' which was on Princess Street. We spent ages in there and bought a few books including one called 'The Welsh Quotation Book' edited by Roger Thomas. One of the quotations in it reads
'The inaccessibility of Aberystwyth to the outside world must be accepted as a dispensation of Providence. Such a town deserves to be isolated.'
Thomas Davies 1884
Well I'm very glad that the railway carried us to isolated Aberystwyth. The town leaves much to be desired but we left happy and satisfied that we had seen that wonderful book. I think Mr Albert Edwards of 12 Gladstone Street, Mold, would have been very pleased to know that we made the trip and admired the result of his painstaking labour and devotion.
Viv Williams (9th March 2008)
December 08
Flint and Oakenholt War Memorial Project
We would like to bring to your attention the work of Peter Metcalfe who began, four years ago to research the WW1 servicemen named on the Flint and Oakenholt War Memorial. Peter is aiming to publish his research in a book in 2009. If you have any information about anyone named on this memorial, Peter would be delighted to hear from you. Below is a link to a BBC website which features an article by Peter. Peter's e mail address is to be found on this link
Link to Peter Metcalf's page on BBC website
Flint and Oakenholt War Memorial Project
We would like to bring to your attention the work of Peter Metcalfe who began, four years ago to research the WW1 servicemen named on the Flint and Oakenholt War Memorial. Peter is aiming to publish his research in a book in 2009. If you have any information about anyone named on this memorial, Peter would be delighted to hear from you. Below is a link to a BBC website which features an article by Peter. Peter's e mail address is to be found on this link
Link to Peter Metcalf's page on BBC website
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Remembrance at Ysgol Sychdyn, 11th November 2008
Every year, the children of ysgol Sychdyn lay a wreath in a simple ceremony at the War Memorial and 2008 was no exception. The junior children stood across the road opposite the Memorial and the infants gathered close to the gates to watch the proceedings.
Every year, the children of ysgol Sychdyn lay a wreath in a simple ceremony at the War Memorial and 2008 was no exception. The junior children stood across the road opposite the Memorial and the infants gathered close to the gates to watch the proceedings.
The junior children standing across the road from the Memorial to watch the ceremony.
Readings by two of the older juniors
The wreath is placed on the gate by the two oldest pupils in the school and a little boy places a personal family tribute.
The school wreath joins those that were placed the previous Sunday - Remembrance Sunday.
'When you go home tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow we gave our today'
For your tomorrow we gave our today'