Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Acts of Remembrance
The City of Leeds Training College War Memorial was unveiled on 5 November 1921 in the Great Hall of the City of Leeds Training College by James Graham, Director of Education in Leeds, with Principal John Robinson Airey and former Principal Walter Parsons in attendance.
Mr Todd
Although records are erratic, Henry Thomas Todd, a tutor at the college, appears responsible for instigating the memorial. He reported to the Old Students Association that funds had been raised through subscription but fell short of the total required, and he suggested that the OSA contribute - which they did, supplying the last £10 needed. How much the memorial cost in full has not been recorded.
The original City of Leeds Training College Memorial
Owls, Oak and Brass
Originally erected in an oak frame were a central roundel bearing an owl and wreath motif and four brass plates, two on either side of a central plate bearing a dedication—and included the third stanza of Canadian Lt Col John McCrea's 1915 poem In Flanders Field. The poem was first published anonymously in Punch on 8 December 1915. McCrea is not a well-known poet, unlike Owen, Sassoon or Brooke, but this poem captured the public's imagination at the time. The challenge of the final lines was to remember the fallen at all costs. This sentiment suited the public mood of the time, and McCrea's words are found on many war memorials.
A Torch of Knowledge and Remembrance
The poem may have been chosen specifically for the college war memorial because of the symbolism of the torch of remembrance passing to the next generation and the resonance with the torch and book symbolism included on the college badge - a torch of knowledge illuminating the darkness passing from teacher to pupil.
Seventy-seven Lives
Seventy-seven lives are commemorated from the First World War, including one tutor, Edward Harrison (1880-1917), who taught Mathematics and actively organised the college Rugby Union team. Among the students commemorated is Herbert Goldberg (1896-1916), a student between 1914 and 1916. He enlisted in 1915 into 21 King's Royal Rifle Brigade, promoted to Lance Corporal (C/12695) in January 1916. He was killed in action, shot by a German sniper on 11 June 1916 while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade. Frederick Sagar (1889-1918) was a student between 1907 and 1909, making him one of the first students at the college. He was a Corporal (328112) in the Lancashire Fusiliers killed in action on 27 September 1918.
Fifty-five Lives
In 1948, the Old Students Association paid £101 7s 6d to add four new brass plates to the memorial and alter the dedication on the central plaque to reflect the latest additions - another fifty-five lives added to the memorial. It was unveiled on 6 November 1948 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman George Brett.
Fire and Removal
In 1978, a fire raged through the Great Hall, causing extensive damage to much of the original wood panelling. The pipe organ and balcony were damaged beyond repair and removed. The wooden panelling was restored or, if too severely damaged, replaced; the memorial survived. The hall was subsequently reopened as the James Graham Hall two years later. The memorial was removed in the mid-1990s, during the refurbishment of the Library, and erected at the top of the stone stairs in the entrance hall of the James Graham Building.
Acts of Remembrance
Our new Lead Chaplain, Reverend Timothy Nicholls invites all to join him in person and online at 10:50 on Friday 10 November in an Act of Remembrance which will be streamed live from the stairs in the James Graham Building at Headingley Campus.
