The History of Regent Square Memorial

For a map of Regent Square and surrounding area in 1905 CLICK HERE

The Unveiling

The Regent Square Memorial bearing 300 names of those gone forth, was unveiled on Sunday the 30th June 1918 by Sir Montague Barlow MP. The memorial was erected by public subscription, the fund being inaugurated by Councillor F Hampson who became chairman of the committee consisting of Messrs Kershaw, Stormes, Ackerley, Robinson and Askew Mesdames Bishop, Bedford, Hall, Barrett, Jones and Mawdsley. Mr E Mutch acted as Hon. Secretary. At the time the Memorial was thought to be "very original in design and will endure the generations".

The front panel bares the inscription:

"To those who where cleansed of base desire,
Sorrow and lust and shame,
Gods for they knew the hearts of men,
Men, for they stooped to fame."

The ceremony was attended by a large concourse of people including local councillors, Salford Lads Clubs Cadets and South Salford Cadets No.4 Troop. The choir of St Ignatius led the singing and prayers said by Rev. R. A. E. Bell.

The Rev. H Bray congratulated the committee and went on to say "We must hold on and bear
on until we achieve a victory that would again establish the liberty that has been so wantonly assailed. We owe to the fallen heroes that we should do our duty by their comrades who have been maimed and broken in the fight." (shouts of "hear, hear")

Sir Montague Barlow MP "felt perfectly certain that the memorial would be guarded and tended in the future in the same spirit that had erected it - in the spirit of love for the dear ones who had gone. They were there not only to dedicate that permanent memorial but, he hoped, also to gain inspiration to carry on from generation to generation the splendid traditions which those who passed away had handed down to us."

The memorial falls into disrepair and parts are lost.

Sir Montague Barlow "felt perfectly certain that the memorial would be guarded and tended in the future in the same spirit that had erected it" 1918

The Memorial Circa 1978

In the 1980s members of the City of Salford (Ordsall) Royal British Legion became aware that the memorial was in urgent need of protection as the two bottom stones and the crown had gone missing. A search was made and the two bottom stones where found in local gardens, these were removed and taken to Failsworth barracks, the search for the crown proved more illusive. After speaking to many local people the men searching became aware of a story of a stone engraved similar to that of the memorial had been seen some miles away at Buile Hill Park, how this information came to light is lost to memory. A search of the park was made and the crown was found underneath a growth of thick brambles.

Courtesy of www.oldsalford.co.uk

The Picture above shows the Memorial in October 1978.
The bottom two stones and the crown are now missing.

With the help of members and friends the memorial was taken to the British Legion where the memorial was rebuilt in the Legion's car park, unfortunately the second and third stones where placed facing the wrong way. At least the memorial was now reunited and in a place where it "could be guarded and tended in the future in the same spirit that had erected it.".

The Memorial 2008

Due to major redevelopment work taking place in the Ordsall area the memorial is to be moved again in around 2010. Watch this space for further details.