War memorial display at college
A WAR memorial display has been put up at UCP Marjon in Derriford.
Nicola Chaffe, library assistant at the college, designed the display following Remembrance Day on November 11.
Marjon has three war memorials – the first was donated from St John's College in Battersea and another was later donated from St Mark's College in Chelsea. Both memorials honour former students who died during the First World War. The third memorial plaque which has now been installed has been dedicated to Marjon students who died in the Second World War.
On November 11, the college staged a display centred around the three memorials.
A college spokesman said: "The aim was to tell the story behind some of the names on the memorials – but to also remember the students who survived but had their lives marred by physical or mental injury.
"Losses were 184 for the First World War and 66 for the Second World War.
"Among the dead from the First World War was the promising long jumper, Philip Cave Kingsford, who had represented Britain in the 1912 Olympics.
"There was also a young would-be poet, Thomas Comer, who had the pleasure of seeing one slim volume of poetry published in 1912 but lost his life saving an officer in 1915."
The spokesman said that the new memorial shows how Marjon students managed to "strike a few firsts" in the Second World War.
The spokesman said: "There was the youngest serving Major General, Charles 'Podge' Lloyd, and the country's oldest air-raid warden, William Liddle.
"There was also one half of the first married couple to be both decorated for the same act of bravery – Mr and Mrs Edward and Ida Harker.
"College students also won some 42 military crosses among an array of other gallantry awards during the First World War and had quite a cluster for the Second World War.
"UCP Marjon would love to hear from any past students currently serving in the forces so we can keep our archives up to date. Please contact Nicola Chaffe on 01752 761 145."
Comments
by nicola chaffe, Plymouth
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 4:38PM
“There are a few inaccuracies in this piece. For a start the WWII Memorial has been with the College since the 1940s and is not a new feature.
The WWI Memorials were not exactly donated by St. John's, Battersea and St. Mark's, Chelsea as these colleges as the present name suggests are the founding colleges of UCP St Mark and St John.
Telephone number is 761145 or 636700 ext 2200.
I would also like to hear from anyone in the Herald readership area who has anything pertaining to the Battersea and Chelsea Colleges. They date from 1840 and 1841 respectively and despite the distance took a number of students over the many decades from this part of Devon and from East Cornwall. Please check attics as its surprising what families keep if they would only check.
The display was running before Rembrance Day”