The items included within this teaching pack are taken from items contained within the Regimental archives of the Sherwood Foresters Museum, and from various local and national support organisations. The Topic of this Pack The contents of this pack reflect the way in which local communities and the nation as a whole remember both significant events of the past and individuals who have made a contribution to society. The information contained in this project provides insight into both war and peace, famous personalities as well as humble, unsung heroes of the community. There are a number of links to aspects of the National Curriculum, while at the same time offering a range of teaching opportunities. The following suggestions may be of some help.
Give an example of a famous national memorial and the story that lies behind it.
Make a scrapbook including pictures and any other information on any memorial you know about
How many different ways can you think of for remembering people from the past, including your own family.
What sort of important events might be remembered in later history. What form might the commemoration take?
A Time Capsule is a kind of memorial. Do you know how to make one and what sort of things to include?
Try to find memorials in the area where you live, then record what you have found out about them.
You are encouraged to use the material provided within this pack to the best advantage of your class. However, some of the items are protected by the laws of copyright and are provided here for educational purposes only. They may not be photographed or reproduced by any other means or used for financial gain. In some instances the copyright restrictions have been removed and where this is applicable, the notes on the item are clearly marked stating permission to copy.
These boards may be used for classroom activities or for display purposes.
Boards 1-3 each tell a story of some aspect of the Second World War and the way it has been commemorated.
Board 4 illustrates six unusual memorials to be found in different parts of Britain, each being connected with the sea*. They may be used for a quiz, as an identification exercise or for discussion.
1 (This display board may be copied) A memorial at South Shields, in the North East of England in the form of an original oar powered lifeboat, which had been in use for 60 years before being withdrawn in 1893. It is a reminder of the 1,028 people who were saved from drowning and as a tribute to the lifeboat which was first invented in the North East.
2 The Henry Blogg G.C. Memorial is at Cromer, in Norfolk. Standing on the cliff-top, it is a tribute to Coxswain Henry Blogg who served in the Cromer lifeboat for 38 years, from 1909 to 1947. He was the most highly decorated man to serve with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and was the holder of the George Cross, British Empire Medal, RNLI Gold Medal and two bars, RNLI Silver Medal and three bars. He helped to save 873 people from drowning at sea and on his death in 1954 was described as я┐╜One of the bravest men whoever lived.
3 This unusual memorial is a bronze statue of the Red Indian Princess Pocahontas. It stands in Gravesend Churchyard as a memorial to her brave act in saving the life of a Naval Officer Captain John White, after his capture by Indians. Later she married another naval Officer, Captain John Rolfe and on her death in 1617, she was buried in Gravesend.
4 An 18th century gravestone to victims of a shipwreck. It stands in Mylor Churchyard, Cornwall as a memorial to one of the many sailing ships wrecked on the rocky coastline of Cornwall. The transport ship Queen was bringing soldiers and their families home from the Peninsular War in Spain when it was driven on the rocks at a storm at Trefusis Point. Almost all those on the ship were drowned.
5 A marble memorial in the form of a large and impressive sculpture which is dedicated to Admiral the Earl Howe. This elaborate and detailed memorial to a famous 18th century Naval hero stands in St Pauls Cathedral in London. It is a good example of the effort and money which was spent in years gone by as a dedication to the remembrance of a famous person.
6 The Cockleshell Heroes memorial is at the Royal Marines Base at Hamworthy, Dorset. It commemorates a group of Royal Marine Commandoes who launched a night attack called Operation Frankton using canoes in December, 1942. The attack was against enemy shipping in Bordeaux harbour, and only two men returned safely. Their story later became a popular book and film called The Cockleshell heroes. Admiral Lord Mountbatten paid tribute: Of the many brave and dashing raids none was more courageous or imaginative than Operation Frankton.
Many families have their own memorials, ways of remembering people and events from the past. Collections of photographs, letters and diaries, medals and other awards, items that are on display in the home are often used as memorials. Family Bibles were used in the same way.
Our calendar contains certain days which annually commemorate events from the past. Remembrance Day also known as Armistice Day and Poppy day - was added to the list after the First World War of 1914-18 to commemorate the Armistice, which marked the end of the Great War at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month in 1918. Soon afterwards the emblem of the poppy, a reminder of the fields of wild poppies, which grew in the desolation of the Flanders battlefields, became the recognized emblem of the day. After the formation of The Royal British Legion, the sale of poppy emblems raised substantial sums of money (and still does) to assist casualties of war and their families. The custom of a period of silence at 11am also began after the First World War. With the support of King George VI, during the Second World War Remembrance Day was identified with the nearest Sunday in November to the 11th and a variety of ceremonies, parades and other events still take place on this day in almost every town and village to-day.
At the village of Crich, on the borders of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is a unique war memorial erected to commemorate the members of The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment who died during the 1914-18 War. It is modelled as a lighthouse, its elevated position and its bright light which shines out every night, are a constant reminder to their sacrifice. It was later also dedicated to those who lost their lives in the War of 1939-45, and when the Regiment was amalgamated to become The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, it was also dedicated to the memory of the men of the new Regiment. Each year an annual pilgrimage brings together the members of the Regiment, and their familyя┐╜s, along with the civic dignitaries of the Towns and Cities, of the two counties, for a time of remembrance. This Memorial, is well worth an organized visit.
There are many important memorials scattered throughout Britain witnessing to famous people and significant events of the past. The Black Prince and Admiral Lord Nelson, are just two of our National Heroes who were and are, remembered for their achievements in time of war. Edith Cavell, a nurse in the Great War of 1914-18, has a memorial near to Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London. She is also remembered with affection by the Belgian Nation for her Heroism in protecting casualties and prisoners of war of various nationalities. Unfortunately, she became a prisoner of war of the German Army and was shot as a spy.
The information leaflets and photographs support the video-tape which tells the story of the remarkable organisation known as The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, originally known as the War Graves Commission. It was formed in 1917 in Britain in order to give a proper grave and memorial to every known casualty of the First World War. Since the Second World War it has become a unique organization caring for memorials and war graves in every corner of the world. Together with groups such as Friends of War Memorials it continues to encourage a public awareness of our past and those people who made special contributions in the struggle to secure peace in the world.
Produced for teachers by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Running Time - 23 Minutes
An introduction to the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from the time of its formation after the 1914-18 war to the present day. Opening introduction against the background of the Last Post being sounded by the Ypres Fire Service at the Menin gate in Belgium, one of the largest war memorials anywhere in Western Europe. An explanation of the 1914-18 war, the huge casualty numbers and the creation of a burial organization. The Rules of the Burial Commission in the Great War: Casualties buried where they fell, and as soon as possible given a grave marker. All graves treated the same way, regardless of rank. Examples of the vast number of War Graves Cemeteries, both large and small, stretching across Europe mainly along the war front which marked the fiercest fighting. Design of the types of headstone, including the permanent memorials in use throughout the years. How the Commission began and its founder Fabian Ware. Its creation as a mobile unit of the Red Cross during World War I and its development into the Graves Registration Committee. The formation of the War Graves Commission in 1917, and the design of permanent memorials, including the Cross of Sacrifice, by the architect Sir Edward Lutyens. Cemeteries in other parts of the world including Gallipoli and West Samoa in the Pacific. The work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission today, with examples of Army, Navy and Royal Air Force sites. The organization of care and repair. The problems caused by severe weather, earthquake, local wars and vandalism.
Produced for teachers by English Heritage Running Time 21 minutes.
An introduction to graveyards and cemeteries as a valuable resource for research, providing an insight to centuries of local history and community life. A look at monuments and burial customs, Monuments to military conflict 1914-18 war Memorials lists, names of the absent dead A typical graveyard providing a thousand years of history e.g. Anglo Saxon, Mediaeval.
Illustrating social divisions, the rich and powerful buried in church buildings, others in the graveyard. Use of coffins, early death and infant mortality in past years, family and home-close to dying, funerals both family and community event with large numbers attending.
Cemeteries contain wide range of monuments and gravestones in different designs. Over the years many graveyards provided a haven for wild life and plants. Modern conservation involves an awareness of these factors.
The separation of the Church of England and Non-Conformist burial areas. The creation of large Municipal cemeteries, often run as a business. Death became an industry, undertakers, expensive monuments as status symbols, paupers graves. Emphasise the value of careful research and precise recording using a standard recording sheet (this form is within the box and may be photocopied).
Teacher Study Notes MemorialshousleyM.O.D.