Memorial Details

Houses 1914-18 Ryehill Gardens

W111.008

WEST HARTLEPOOL

NZ 500 320

Ryehill Gardens

1914-18

Opened 8th July 1922 by Ald. T.F. Thompson, J.P., Chairman of the Board of Governors.

War Memorial Homes and Crosby Homes. Row of 16 single story red brick terraced cottages on three sides of a green. The western block is half the size of the eastern block. The dedication is on thin plaque 10 inches high x 1 foot 4 inches wide (254mm x 406mm) fixed to a gatepost. The lettering is etched in black.
A forecourt was laid out as an ornamental garden.

Red brick

The Hartlepools
War Memorial Homes
and the
Crosby Homes

None.

See notes below.

Honorary architect: Nelson F. Dennis, The late Borough Engineer; erected by Messrs. W. Pearson and Son, local contractors.

1. The eastern block is only half the size of the western block. Whether it was to be the same size as the western block to be symmetrical, or whether the money ran out, is not known. The idea was that the cottages would form a quadrangle, 16 cottages and one reading room being at each side of Ryehill Gardens, making a total of 32 houses. The area occupied by each house to be about 727 sq. feet, floor pace exclusive of external walls 660 sq. feet. The internal dimensions of each reading room would be 26 feet x 23 feet 3 inc. Each cottage to consist of a living room, scullery, coalhouse, pantry, two bedrooms, etc. The cost of each house would be approx. £600 and the reading rooms £480 each, a total of £20,160. If a Government grant were to be received, the cost of each house would be reduced to £412 per house.

2. Six of these homes were given by Mr. J.W. Crosby in memory of his son, Lieut. J.M. Crosby, of Honourable Artillery Company, who was killed in action in 1917. Mr. Crosby also gave a spacious reading room which is in the centre of the whole block of buildings.

3. Two homes were the given by Mr. J.T. Medd.
Other donors were:
Hartlepools Co-operative Society Ltd.,
Central Marine Engine Works Benevolent Association;
North Ward Whist Drive Committee;
Tipperary Club Ladies’ Committee;
Miss Susie Lee’s ‘Dainty Dots’;
Friends of the late Commander Coun. William Edgar;
William Ropner gave one to be called “Lady Ropner Home” after his late mother;
Land for the site was donated by Miss E.J. Richardson; Miss F.A. Richardson; Mrs. E.M. Nillson; Mrs. E.O. Willis.

4. Governors of the homes were: Mrs. J.T. Jacques; Mr. E. Birks; Mr. W. Brankston; Mr. W. Wallace; Mr. C.H. Wyld; Mr. J. Stitt; Mr. A.T. Usher; Mr. J.W. McRobert; Mr. R.D. Lambert; Mr. G.E. Spalding. These represented the War Memorial Committee. Other governors represented the donors of the homes, ground and trustees, and they would appoint a committee of management.

5. This was part of the memorial which also included Victory Square. People who had subscribed to this fund were:
Hartlepools Gas and Water Co.,
J & T.T. Brown;
Pulp and Paper Works;
Robert Johnson & Co. Ltd.;
John Bottomley Ltd.;
Irvine’s harbour Yard;
Wm.Pearson & Co.,
Thomas Walker & Co.

Photos: Simon Raine; C. Sanders; Dorothy Hall

Northern Echo 17/08/1921 reports acceptance of contractor’s proposals; 02/06/1922 reports on opening proposals; 10/07/1922 reports official opening; 19/01/1924 reports a further eight homes to be built.

Darlington & Stockton Times (North)20/08/1921 reports contractor’s proposal; 15/07/1922 reports opening.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 15/07/1922 reports unveiling.

Stockton & Teesside Herald 15/07/1922 reports opening

Northern Daily Mail 15/01/1921 reports proposals; 18/11/1921 reports progress; 08/07/1922 reports opening

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 17/08/1921 reports tenders.

Cleveland County Archives: Architect’s plans Ref. 6268 and 5905.

A Hartlepool Chronology John M. Ward

Darlington and Stockton Times (North) 1921 08 20 Sat

Darlington and Stockton Times (North) 1922 07 15 Sat

Northern Echo 1921 08 17 Wed

Northern Echo 1922 06 02 Fri

Northern Echo 1922 07 10 Mon

Northern Echo 1924 01 19 Sat

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale; C. Sanders; Tony Harding; Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk

 

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