War Memorial Project

As a project to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1, South Wingfield Local History Group (SWLHG) are proposing to erect a war memorial to commemorate the villagers of South Wingfield Parish who died serving in the armed services during the two World Wars. South Wingfield unlike most towns and villages does not have a war memorial naming those who made the ultimate sacrifice, there is just a small generic plaque in the Market Place.

After consultation with South Wingfield Parish Council, it has been agreed that the village’s Market Place is the most suitable site for the war memorial and that it will take the form of a stone Memorial Wall with a granite or marble plaque. It is also proposed as a secondary project that the Market Place will be refurbished to form a memorial garden and quiet space for members of the public to use. The Market Place, although ideally located in the centre of the village, is largely unused as a public amenity. Planning permission for the War Memorial and refurbishment of the Market Place was granted by Amber Valley Borough Council on 23rd March 2018.

The cost of the Memorial Wall is in the region of £10,000, whilst the refurbishment of the Market Place will cost a further £35,000 to £40,000. The aim of SWLHG is to complete construction of the Memorial Wall by November 2018. It can then be dedicated in time to commemorate the centenary of the end of WW1. The Group are therefore initially concentrating on raising funds for the Memorial Wall.

SWLHG are approaching local businesses and surviving regiments (in which the soldiers served) seeking donations or sponsorship, in addition we are applying for grants from various bodies. To date- we have raised over £800 with further pledges of £350.

Donations or pledges from parishioners and members of the general public are most welcome. Please include your full name if you would like your contribution to be recognised as we will produce a souvenir brochure and time capsule with contributors’ names. (Donations can also be deposited in the box at the Malt House Stores - cheques payable to ‘South Wingfield Local History Group’)

Thank you!

The list of service personnel from the Parish who gave their lives during both WW1 and WW2 is available on our website. http://swlhg.org.uk . It has been prepared after extensive research by members of the Group. However, we still need help establishing personal details for at least one of the fatalities. If you have a connection with any of these men SWLHG would love to hear from you. We are also looking for any photos of the men and intend to create a page on the website, recording all this information.

(As far as we are aware there have not been any service personnel from the Parish who died in later conflicts.)