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War Memorials

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Wigan Coal & Iron Co. Pit Plaque - Clock Face
Wigan Coal & Iron Co. Pit Plaque - Clock Face
Photo: Rev David Long
Views: 2,325
Item #: 30312
In July 1920, Directors and Managers of the WC&I Co. toured their Works and Collieries installing 19 plaques commemorating those from each entity who had died, and recording those awarded honours in the Great War.
Most were in the Wigan district - but one was at Manton near Worksop, and this one was at Clock Face, St Helens.
When the pit closed in 1966 the plaque was removed to the Miners' Club in Crawford Street - where it now sits beneath the earlier plaque marking the opening of the Club by Lord Crawford six years earlier. Doubtless most of the men named would have been around when that occurred....
Many will know that the five plaques which were installed at the Standish pits of the Company are now in the Peace Gate at St Wilfrid's Church. Others known to be in safe hands are those at Manton, Aspull (No.5 Moor Pit), Eatock and the Hewletts Pits, Westhoughton way, and this Clock Face one. Those for Meadow Pit and Alexandra & Lindsay Pits seem to have gone without trace. More worrying though, is the fate of four plaques relating to the Top Place at Kirkless. They were rescued from a skip, and installed in the Ex-Servicemen's Club at New Springs... but have since disappeared following the final closure of the Club building last year (the Ex-Servicemen folded in 2011). Anyone seen or heard anything of them?

Comment by: DTease on 19th March 2018 at 10:10

Rev Long, where in Manton is the plaque for No 5 Pit?
My great uncle moved to Manton when the Pit closed in Aspull. No doubt he would have known some of the men on it. It would be good to see this plaque if I ever get round that way.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 19th March 2018 at 11:21

The Manton plaque is in the Priory Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert - it's got the longest list of any of those I've seen - 89 names:
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/rollofhonour/WarMemorials/Details/390
Aspull No 5 Moor Pit's plaque is, I understand, in the Royal British Legion Club at Aspull.

Comment by: Neil Cain on 19th March 2018 at 17:23

Are the Kirkless plaques not in Aspull British Legion?

Comment by: Rev David Long on 25th March 2018 at 20:33

The four Kirkless plaques are indeed now at Aspull RBL Club.

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