Memorial Details
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Memorial
Stone Drownings 1945 Riverbank
Reference
G25.02
Place
GUYZANCE
Map ref
NU 202029
Original Location
Beside the weir on the River Coquet. Alongside G25.01 (see link below).
Which war
1939-45
Memorial Description
Stone boulder. To the front has been fixed a plaque bearing the dedication and names. At top are the badges of (left) the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and (right) the Durham Light Infantry. The names are listed in a single column. Below them is a brief story of the tragedy. Underneath this is a poem by Charles Dick, the two verses side by side divided by a white vertical line. All lettering is in white serif capitals with the poem in lower case.
Materials used
Sandstone
Inscription
Guyzance Tragedy / 17th January 1945 / During a river crossing exercise strong currents and floods / swept their boat over the weir. Weighed down by their / equipment not one of the eighteen year old / soldiers survived.
Names
Notes
1. The stone was donated by Asda
2. War Memorials Trust donated £200 towards costs.
2. War Memorials Trust donated £200 towards costs.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photo: Tony Harding
External web link
Additional Notes
On the Installation of Guyzance War Memorial.
A grieving wind cleaves this sad vale
Neath tattered heavens - winter pale;
The Coquet with its hood of trees
You knew, who died, yes, all of these.
This spot on which today we meet
Once felt the tramping of your feet.
And harsh the voice embracing all
- The treacherous thundering waterfall.
We build for you a shrine today
Beneath these beeches as we pray.
And light Love's torch and it shall be
Our token to your memory.
Floods may come and floods may go,
And icy winds of winter blow.
But endless spring shall ever shine
On this your simple woodland shrine.
Charles Dick
A grieving wind cleaves this sad vale
Neath tattered heavens - winter pale;
The Coquet with its hood of trees
You knew, who died, yes, all of these.
This spot on which today we meet
Once felt the tramping of your feet.
And harsh the voice embracing all
- The treacherous thundering waterfall.
We build for you a shrine today
Beneath these beeches as we pray.
And light Love's torch and it shall be
Our token to your memory.
Floods may come and floods may go,
And icy winds of winter blow.
But endless spring shall ever shine
On this your simple woodland shrine.
Charles Dick
Research acknowledgements
Janet Brown; Tony Harding
Research In Progress
See link above
Stone Drownings 1945 Riverbank (G25.02)
GUYZANCE Beside the weir on the River Coquet.
Guyzance Tragedy
17th January 1945
L.Cpl. M. Fredlieb DWR
Pte. N. Ashton DWR
Pte. P.G. Clements DLI
Pte. E.King DLI
Pte. K. Lee DLI
Pte. A. Leighton DLI
Pte. M.M. Peddelty DLI
Pte. J.W. Wilson DLI
Pte. R.H.B. Winteringham DLI
Pte. A. Yates DLI
During a river crossing exercise strong currents and floods
swept their boat over the weir. Weighed down by their
equipment not one of the eighteen year old
soldiers survived.
Death’s not confined to battlefields His actions are in honour’s name
‘Midst flame and howling shell Defeating wrong with right.
Ev’n they who simply train to fight Salute we those who years ago
Can not their fate foretell. In nineteen forty five
For Fate stalks through the training field Claimed by the angry Coquet flood,
With neutral conscience he - Their names will e’er survive.
Regards not foe or ally Hallowed be the memory
The captive or the free. Of the unforgotten ten
A soldier is a pawn of fate, Who shouldered arms as virgin boys
He craves not fame or might, And died as active men.
NamesG25.02
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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