Memorial Details
Memorial
Plaque 1914-18 1939-45 Kenmir Bros.
Reference
S131.06
Place
SPENNYMOOR
Original Location
General Office Hall of the firm in Flora Street.
Present Location
Spennymoor Town Hall Stairs, High Street, DL16 6DG
Which war
a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45
b. 1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 22nd February 1948 by Mr. S.T. Latheron on behalf of all employees and management.
Memorial Description
Plaque with dome at centre top, 3 feet high x 4 feet wide. There is a raised border of acanthus leaves. In the dome is a lion on two crossed swords, representing the Army, the Navy is represented in the top left by the Naval badge. in the top right is the badge of the Royal Air Force. The names from 1914-18 are listed on the left, those for 1939-45 on the right. Between them is a cross. All lettering is in Roman capitals.
Materials used
Cast bronze on oak base.
Inscription
In grateful remembrance / of these our comrades who gave / their lives that all might live / in freedom.
May we be worthy of their sacrifice.
May we be worthy of their sacrifice.
Names
Who commissioned
Messrs. Kenmir Bros., Spennymoor.
Present condition
Restored 1996.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Ernest Cawthorne Kenmir, company founder.
Notes
1. The firm’s last director, Frank Kenmir, rescued the plaque from the factory building before it was demolished in the early 1970s. Following his death in August 1996, his family found the plaque in his garage. They contacted Spennymoor Town Council who agreed to have the plaque cleaned, polished, and hung in the Town Hall.
2. Frank Kenmir’s cousin, Frederick Kenmir, is named on the memorial.
3. Before the Second World War, apart from the mines, the firm was the town’s biggest employer.
4. This is the firm which created the town’s cenotaph.
2. Frank Kenmir’s cousin, Frederick Kenmir, is named on the memorial.
3. Before the Second World War, apart from the mines, the firm was the town’s biggest employer.
4. This is the firm which created the town’s cenotaph.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: John and Mavis Dixon; John Grainger; James Pasby
Source of quotation :
“May we be worthy of their sacrifice” Not ascertained
Source of quotation :
“May we be worthy of their sacrifice” Not ascertained
External web link
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
John and Mavis Dixon, C. Sanders; John Grainger
Research In Progress
Jim and John Grainger are creating an archive of information about each person named on the local War Memorials and would like to hear from anyone with stories, photographs or memorabilia.
Contact:- monreith@aol.com
Plaque 1914-18 1939-45 Kenmir Bros. (S131.06)
SPENNYMOOR Town Hall
In grateful remembrance
of these our comrades who gave
their lives that all might live
in freedom.
1914-1918 1939-1945
W. Coulthard 27th May 1918 R.E. Barker 27th July 1940
J. Cowens 16th Aug. 1916 H. Burnip 19th June 1940
B.R. Graham 18th Nov. 1916 H.I. Ferguson 29th July 1944
F. Kenmir 15th Jan. 1917 T.L. Roberts 12th July 1942
May we be worthy of their sacrifice.
NamesS131.06
You are looking at all the information and the best images we have so far on this memorial. If you can supply more information or better images please get in touch by sending an email to enquiries@newmp.org.uk.
Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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