Memorial

Statue South Africa 1899-1902 Ward Jackson Park

West Hartlepool

Memorial Name: Statue South Africa 1899-1902 Ward Jackson Park (W111.023)

NEWMP Ref No.: W111.023

Parish: West Hartlepool

Original Location:

Ward Jackson Park, in northern part, east of the pond, north of the fountain. Elwick Road, Hartlepool. TS26 0DA.

Which War:

South Africa 1899-1902

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled 19th July 1905 by Mrs. Lauder, wife of Col. R. Lauder, V.D., J.P.
Dedicated by Rev. H.H. Birley, Vicar of St. Paul’s.

Materials Used:

Bronze figure, Aberdeen granite plinth, York stone steps.

Present Condition: The statue has disappeared, leaving only the boots. Cut off in 1968.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

F.W. Doyle Jones, whose home town was West Hartlepool

Inscription:

Pro patria
In honour of
the 320 men from this town and district
who fought for their country in the
South African War 1899-1902
and in memory of
those who gave their lives
whose names are inscribed below.

Memorial Description:

Statue of soldier with rifle, 74 inches high, (188cms) total weight 5-6 cwt., on a pedestal of rough granite 72 inches high (q83cms), resting on three stone steps.

His helmet is at his feet, and his breast is bared.

Total height 15 feet (4.6m).

The dedication is carried on the smoothed front face of the stone, the lettering incised and blackened.

Names:

23 names, ranks and regiments.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. The rough plinth is said to suggest the kopjes of South Africa.

2. The theft of the statue in March 1968 had been preceded six weeks earlier by the theft of the rifle.

3. It was stated at the time of the theft that the scrap metal value would be approximately £130.

External Links:

Historic England Listing

Sources:

Photo of plinth only: Simon Raine; Dorothy Hall; old postcards showing statue: Tony Harding; George Nairn

.Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail
(In Hartlepool Reference Library in fragile state)19/07/1905 has drawing of the memorial;
20/07/1905 carries unveiling details
31/01/1968 reports theft of rifle;
13/03/1968 reports theft of statue.

Gray Art Gallery
has a small replica of the original.

Teeside Archives
War Memorial and Relief Fund Committee Meeting Minute book (Ref CB/WH/2/251), which contains little detail.

4th Royal Warwickshire Regiment For remembrance and in honour of those who lost their lives in the South African War 1899-1902. James Gildea, Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1911.

Dictionary of British Art Vol. V British Artists 1880-1940 J. Johnson, 1994.