The day Richmond's Green Howards' war memorial was unveiled

“WEDNESDAY was a notable day in the history of the North Riding in general and Richmond in particular,” noted the D&S Times 100 years ago this week because the Green Howards’ war memorial had been unveiled at the top of Frenchgate in Richmond.

During the First World War, 65,000 men had served in the regiment, and nearly all had passed through Richmond as it had been the regimental depot. It is now reckoned that about 9,000 of them had been killed – the D&S of the day said 7,400 – and about 24,000 were wounded.

“The fine cross that now so conspicuously stands at the top of Frenchgate, one of the most picturesque streets of old Richmond, is indeed something that adds to the features of interest of the North Riding,” said the D&S. “Approaching it from the bottom of the hill, the spectator is struck by the rugged simplicity of the outline, and yet its massive features immediately convey the impression that this is something more than a mere country town war memorial, as indeed it is. The Celtic cross is 21ft in height, but it is approached by a flight of 21 broad stone steps, which fact gives some idea of its size and grandeur.”

The regiment had only recently had its name changed to become the Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment), so that its nickname was incorporated into its title, and Alexandra, now queen, had sent a wreath with a message written in her own hand.

Although she wasn’t there, the D&S said “a brilliant assembly” gathered to watch Sir Hugh Bell, the Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding, unveil the memorial.

Lord Zetland, from whose Aske estate the stone had been quarried, said “the cross was in keeping with its immediate surroundings and beautiful in its simplicity. He trusted it would stand there as an everlasting memorial”.