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Hall of Memory

J

janeld

master brummie
My great Grandfather died in WW1 on 1st July 1916 in flanders. Apparently because he was one of the first men to be commemerated in the Hall of Memory, Birmingham. My grandmother Nelly Ward, was chosen to present a bouquet to the lady mayoress at the grand opening ceremony. I would dearly love to see if there is a photograph somewhere of this event. Any suggestions where to look would be gratefully received. Jane.
 
I'm sure Bimingham Library would have something, it would have made the papers as it was opened by a Prince, so it would have been big news in the area, says it was opened 1925 so that should narrow down the year for you :)
 
Thanls for your imput folks, The libary sounds like a good place to start.
do you know if his personel details will be recorded somewhere? although he lived in Harbourne after he married a brummie girl, we have no idea of his origins, we certainly cant find him on the census returns in the area prior to the war.
 
hi Lloyd, His Name is Alfred Henry Ward. he married Lucy taylor in Birmingham in 1911. The certificate has his age at 29 so DOB C1882.Address at time of mariage Grosvener st.West, B'ham.
His father is George Ward, Engineers fitter.

We know he was in the boar war as we a photo of him in uniform labeled, 1901 burma, and his bible inscripted..S.S Canada sept 9 1902.
I have found an entry on the 1901 census of an Alfred Henry Ward in shorncliffe Camp, Kent. which ties in although the age is differant.He is listed as being from london.
..Jane.
 
Thanks guys, Have now got Alfreds Grave details and a picture of the cemetry in France as well..
From that I have found his Medal card using ancestry. I remember my mom telling me she remembered the medals as a child and my gran gave them away to someone who showed an interest in them..strange women.
will try the War section, some one might be able to identify Alfreds uniform for me from the boer War...
 
With the maintenance person on the dome providing a sense of scale, you get a good idea of the size of the memorial. Birmingham made a serious investment when it decided to honour it's servicemen and women in this building. Viv.
 
nice photos dave...HOM has been looking very grubby for some years now...do hope that the city can afford a good clean up for this wonderful building as done recently with baskerville house...
 
How did the bloke get up there?
Did he climb up from where that ladder is as he seems to be wearing mountaineering gear and there is a lot of rope up there!
 
image.jpeg

First he uses the two ladders. Then there are cables around the base of the dome joined by caribiners. My guess is the cables are lassoed around the dome . The cable has a rope attached to it which I assume is then used to help him climb over the dome. Could be wrong though !! Viv.
 
What is the roof made of? It doesn't look too slippery. Maybe it's lead?
The building is beautiful inside too.
rosie.
 
Not common nowadays Viv. think it might be a problem when the mortar started crumbling as well. Difficult to re-mortar
 
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