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War
Memorials Elsewhere, - Sheffield University |
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The Sheffield University War Memorial
Photo : David
Johnson
The Sheffield University War Memorial is located outside Firth
Hall in Firth Court at the University of Sheffield.
The memorial is a Book of Remembrance set in an elaborate castellated stone
shrine. In the Book of Remembrance are inscribed the names of those members
of the University who died in both the First World War and the Second World
War.
The memorial was designed by Mr H St. John Harrison (a part-time lecturer in Architecture) in memory of the students and staff who died in the First World War. The memorial is located in the Edgar Allen Library.
195 names are commemorated as having lost their lives in the First World War. A transcription of the names, with brief biographical details, is on the website Sheffield Soldiers of the Great War.
3 soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment are commemorated on the memorial.
Lieutenant William Harold Armitage, MC. 9th Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment. Only son of William Henry and Eleanor Armitage, of 34,
Rutland Park, Clarkehouse Rd., Sheffield. Died 22 May 1916. Aged 24.
Buried TRANCHEE DE MECKNES CEMETERY, AIX-NOULETTE.
The following biographical information is taken from Robert Coulson's "Biographies
of Yorkshire Regiment Officers";- "William Armitage was not
one of the original party of the 9th Battalion who landed in France in August
of 1915 but joined them in a draft later in the year.
He was awarded the Military Cross for an action in early January of 1916 when
in preparation for a trench raid he led out a party to cut the enemy wire.
Although exposed to German searchlights which brought heavy fire down on them
the wire was successfully cut. The raid itself was also a success and Captain
Thompson who led the attack and Lt Armitage were both awarded the Military
Cross.
In March 1916 the battalion took over part of the line on the Souchez River
and during April and May they were involved in the Angres sector where Lt
William Harold Armitage MC was killed in action on May 22nd at the age of
24."
From the book "Some Other and Wider Destiny" by Elaine
Mercx and Neal Rigby, the following information on William Armitage is given;-
"...a remarkable career at Sheffield University..... He followed up his
Scholarship by gaining the Mappin Medal for first place in the first-class
honours in Engineering, as well as two University prizes. In addition he was
Vice-Captain of the University Team in Rugby football. Not waiting for a commission,
he joined the ranks and earned his stars in his own regiment."
The following information is given in "Lives
of the First World War";-
"Lieutenant Armitage was the son of Mr & Mrs William Armitage of
34 Rutland Park,late of Knowsley Rd, Southport. He was 24 years of age and
was educated at Wakefield Grammar School and Sheffield University. At the
outbreak of war he was engaged at Messrs Dorman Long and Company works, Middlesbrough.
He joined the Yorkshires as a private and worked his way up through the non-commissioned
ranks. He gained the Military Cross on New Year's Eve of 1916 for carrying
through a successful wire cutting expedition which necessitated work being
carried out 20 yards from the German parapet. He also brought in a wounded
man in the face of heavy enemy fire. Lieut. Armitage was about to be married
to Miss Mildred Head, only daughter of Mr C H Head M.A. of St John's, Wakefield."
2nd Lieutenant Frederick William Banner. 7th Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Elijah Henry and Louisa Banner, of 37, Grove Rd.,
Millhouses, Sheffield. Killed 12 May 1917. Aged 26.
Commemorated on Bay 5, ARRAS MEMORIAL.
The following biographical information is taken from Robert Coulson's "Biographies
of Yorkshire Regiment Officers";-
"Frederick Banner was born in Sheffield in 1891.
Serving with the 7th Battalion during the Arras offensive, between the 9th
and the 11th of May 1917 the battalion took over front line trenches north
of the River Scarpe.
An attack was planned along the full corps frontage, the 7th Battalion's objective
being Cupid, Cash and Charlie trenches. The battalion attacked with the 1st
East Yorks on their left and the 1st Rifle Brigade on their right.
Fierce fighting was reported with 2nd Lt Frederick William Banner being killed
in these actions on May 12th 1917 at the age of 26.
Lieutenant Frank Pearce Cliff. 10th Battalion Yorkshire
Regiment. Son of Frederick and Ada Betsy Cliff, of 949, Abbeydale Rd., Millhouses,
Sheffield. Killed 4 October 1917. Aged 22.
Commemorated on Panels 52 to 54 and 162A, TYNE COT MEMORIAL.
The following biographical information is taken from Robert Coulson's "Biographies
of Yorkshire Regiment Officers";-
"Lieutenant Cliff joined the 10th Battalion in mid June 1916 on the Somme
as they prepared for the forthcoming offensive.
On the opening day of the great battle, July 1st 1916 they attacked just to
the north of Fricourt and later saw action at Bazentit le Petit and Mametz
Woods.
He fought with the battalion at the Battles of Arras in spring 1917 and towards
the end of that year they were moved to the Ypres salient to fight in the
Passchendaele offensive.
On October 4th 1917 at 1-40 a.m. the battalion attacked towards Glencorse
Wood and were under “almost continuous shell fire” causing many
casualties.
Lieutenant Frank Cliff was killed in this action at the age of 22."
The Sheffield University War Memorial, - the Book of Remembrance
Photo : David
Johnson
Sheffield
University, - Firth Hall
Photo © Copyright Paolo
Margari and licensed for reuse under this Creative
Commons Licence.
Sheffield
University, - Firth Hall
Photo : Google
Earth
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