Memorial tablet re-dedicated in Scunthorpe as tribute to 32 men killed during world wars

A memorial tablet bearing the names of 32 Scunthorpe servicemen killed in the two world wars has been re-dedicated.

Relatives of those named on the plaque attended a special service at the town’s Old Brumby United Church.

The tablet was discovered in the church in 2006 and after being restored, is now back on display.

The service, led by Methodist minister Reverend Ian Coates, was also attended by representatives of services associations and the mayor of North Lincolnshire.

Among those commemorated on the tablet is Albert Hindmarsh, who served in the First World War.

Relative Lesley Hindmarsh, 60, of Scunthorpe, was at the service.

She said: “He was my late granddad’s younger brother.

“I think he joined up in 1916 and he died on the first day of the third Battle of Ypres, on July 31, 1917.

“He was wounded and made it to the clearing station but it was overrun by the Germans and his body was never recovered.

“He is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres but doesn’t have a known grave.”

“His name is on the memorial outside North Lincolnshire Museum as well.”

Also named on the tablet is David East Douglas, an RAF aircraftsman who died in August 1940.

His nephew John Witting, 71, of Scunthorpe, said: “It was a great service and I am proud to have been here.

“It is a pity my mother is not alive to come and see it today.

“It is good that the tablet is on show and to let people know it is there.”

“I am sure there are a lot of people my age who don’t realise it is here.”

The search for the tablet began after members of the Friends of the Crosby Angel group read about its original dedication.

Patricia Smith, secretary of the group, said: “When we were researching a book for the Crosby Angel, we found an article in the Lincolnshire Star, written in 1920.

“It described the original dedication of the plaque.

“It was originally in Trinity Methodist Church, which was on the corner of High Street and Cole Street.”

After making enquiries with other Methodist churches in the area, the tablet was eventually found stored away at the Old Brumby United Church.

Also found were banners of the 1st Scunthorpe Girls Life Brigade, 1st Scunthorpe Boys Brigade and 2nd Brumby Boys Scouts.

The banners also featured in the service as they were formally laid up.

Sue Broadbent, a professional conservator and Friends of the Crosby Angel member, found the tablet and worked to restore it.

She said: “I took it and we did the work and it is nice because it is good for the boys to be remembered.

“Tablets can get lost or scrapped but this is lovely.”

“Most of the colouring had gone, so we re-enameled it in a sympathetic way.

“It has had a conservation clean and a wax finish.”

A book telling the stories of the men named on the tablet is now in production.

It is entitled More Than Names: These Young Men Discovered and is by Friends of the Crosby Angel chairman Stephen Rimmington.

For more information or to order copies, call Mr Rimmington on 01652 652306.