Memorial

Sundial 1939-45 Ralph Gardner School

North Shields

Memorial Name: Sundial 1939-45 Ralph Gardner School (N34.47)

NEWMP Ref No.: N34.47

Parish: North Shields

Original Location:

Ralph Gardner School, Albion Road West.

In the quadrangle.

Present Location:

The school closed in July 1994 and was immediately demolished.

Which War:

1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Presented 24th May 1957

Materials Used:

Stone Metal

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

The sundial top was designed and made by the pupils and teacher of the Woodwork class.

Inscription:

None

Memorial Description:

Sundial on stone plinth made in the form of a classic fluted Greek column, 13 inches (329mm) diameter, with a splayed foot 18 inches (416mm) wide.

This stands on a stone foundation 47 inches long, 26 inches wide and 7 inches deep (1.21m x 660mm x 177mm).

Names:

None

Notes:

1. Various former pupils received awards for bravery, details unknown.

2. The school was badly damaged in an air raid on 2nd October 1941.

3. The boys dug up the quadrangle and grew 8 tons of potatoes, 10,000 cabbages and 4,000 leeks as well as other vegetables. The girls’ Knitting Club made hundreds of items such as socks, balaclava helmets, scarves and gloves. The school donated thousands of pounds from fund raising.

4. The top portion of the sundial had been broken off, and was said to be with the North Tyneside Corporation. They now say that it is lost. The bottom portion, 28 inches high (711mm), was to have remained in its original position in the quadrangle. However, on 22/09/1994 it was taken into the Rising Sun Country Park, Benton, according to North Tyneside Council Property Services.

5. In 1933 the foundation stone to Ralph Gardner School was laid and the school was officially opened two years later in June 1935. At this stage there were separate boys and girls schools, each with its own head teacher. In 1944 administrative changes saw these become Secondary Modern Schools. The school finally closed (despite strong opposition) on 15 July 1994. It then was demolished.

6. The sundial was presented in memory of former pupils who died in 1939-45 and also to mark the 21st Anniversary of the school.

7. The Senior Boys’ School Savings Group was awarded a Certificate of Honour in recognition of Special Achievement during the Wings for Victory National Savings Campaign 1943.

External Links:

Film of the opening of Ralph Gardner School.

Sources:

Photos of bottom portion: R.W. Gould;
photo taken at presentation: Newcastle Chronicle: Tyne & Wear Archives and Museum Services.

Tyne and Wear Archives
School scrapbooks Ref: E.NSI/1/10/1 1935-1948

North Shields: The bombing of a Town, Ron Curran, 2009, Summerhill Books, ISBN 9 781906 721213, is written “In Honour of all who fought: The Service Men and Women and Civilians 1939-1945.