War Memorial Street Shrine, Sharp Street

Summary

War memorial street shrine, erected 1917.

Reasons for Designation

The 1917 War Memorial Street Shrine, Sharp Street, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on the former community of Sharp Street, and the sacrifices it made during the First World War;

Architectural interest:

* as a dignified, unusual and well-executed carved timber wall plaque street shrine, with integral framed photographs;
* street shrines are rare and this is one of only two in-situ street shrines that survive in Hull;
* the memorial remains in its original condition, with no alterations, or additional names added to it following the Second World War.

History

The earliest First World War memorials in Hull were the 'street shrines' or 'rolls of honour' which were mostly created during the early years of the First World War as a matter of patriotic pride to commemorate local men serving in the armed forces, rather than to record the Fallen. The idea of Street War memorials started in the East End of London, but was soon adopted in other towns and became particularly popular in Hull. These shrines took many forms, some including only those from a particular street, while others included relatives from other streets and some covered districts rather than streets.  Street committees were established with ladies collecting the names and information to be included and contributions towards the cost. The memorials were frequently decorated, taking the form of 'street shrines' decked in flags and flowers. Different streets competed to out-do one another with their designs, and the opening ceremonies were performed with much pomp and ceremony and were reported in the local newspapers.

As the war progressed, conscription was introduced and it became ever more difficult to keep track of people, particularly if an individual or members of the same family were killed and widows had to move on, and the connection with the street was forgotten. After a period of time, some memorials not only recorded the Roll of Honour, but also recorded the Fallen. Unfortunately, the memorials were often too small to record the increasing numbers of casualties; for example, the hundreds of men killed who came from the Hessle Road, Beverley Road and Holderness Road areas. Following the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the casualty rates were so large that enthusiasm for the war declined and many of the street memorials were not updated after that date.

The accuracy of these memorials is often suspect, as there were often omissions, spelling mistakes, incorrect initials, some individuals were recorded in the wrong regiments, and even nicknames were used on some street shrines The same servicemen could appear on a number of memorials if they moved address, or were nominated for inclusion by relatives who lived in different streets. In 1916 the Hull Daily Mail recorded 39 street shines and it is known that there were more erected after that date in Hull. Most street shrines were only designed as temporary structures and due to their ephemeral nature they did not survive for long. Many were destroyed by bombing during the Second World War blitz, and there has been a gradual attrition through slum clearance and redevelopment since the 1960s.

The Sharp Street Shrine is a relatively late example and takes the form of an elaborate decorated glazed oak case, housing the Roll of Honour. It is believed to have been carved by James W Robinson and manufactured by W H Beal Limited of 175 Sharp Street. It was erected by Mr G Chapman of 348 Analby Road, and was raised due to the efforts of Corporal J W Hebblewaite (honorary secretary), Mr Walter Smith (honorary treasurer), Mr J Wright and several lady helpers. It was unveiled on Sunday 8 May 1917 at a ceremony conducted by the Revd E C Cree, MA, vicar of the Church of St Augustine, with music played by the St Augustine’s Choir and Boys' Brigade, under Lieutenant Shields, and by the Salvation Army Band from the Icehouse, Analby Road. The vicar read out a report which stated that the Sharp Street Patrol was formed on 25 September 1916, and since that date, £60 19s 6d had been collected in weekly subscriptions in Sharp Street alone. Out of that amount, £60 2s had been spent on comforts for soldiers and sailors, and that a total of 164 parcels had been sent. The roll records 140 names, 10 of whom were the Fallen. It has been moved and restored on a number of occasions, on the last occasion it was restored by Crick Smith, University of Lincoln and re-erected at the corner of Sharp Street, and it was re-dedicated by the Right Revd Richard Frith, Bishop of Hull on Monday 17 March 2014.

Details

War Memorial, Roll of Honour, Street Shrine erected 1917.

MATERIALS: oak cabinet closed by a glazed door with a large single pane of glass.

The roll of honour comprises a central rectangular oak panel with a curved top and gold-painted scroll decoration entitled - SHARP STREET ROLL OF HONOUR. Set within the central curve of the scroll is the name P.C. VAREY. E.Y. / D.C.M., and below, within a painted scrolled frame, the word FALLEN. The panel is divided into five columns listing 140 men (including Varey) in gold lettering, giving the surname, initials, and abbreviated regiment or unit of each man. It is enclosed by a simple, moulded frame flanked by two narrow, canted panels with gold-painted swags. The panels are contained within a polished oak cabinet closed by a window with a curved top and a timber frame with chamfered and stopped edges. The window is side hung with brass hinges and a key escutcheon. It is flanked to each side by an oak panel with intaglio carved garlands and both incorporating two photographs of senior military and naval figures in oval frames with gilded surrounds. The cabinet has a scroll pediment with a central oval frame containing a photograph of King George V flanked to each side by intaglio carved Hull City arms.

The roll of honour cabinet is now contained within a glazed aluminium security cabinet mounted on a free-standing brick plinth with stone coping. This is built adjacent to the side wall of 85a Newland Avenue (which is not listed) and facing out onto the eastern end of Sharp Street. A painted aluminium information panel attached to the plinth gives detail of those involved in the last restoration and the dignitaries that attended its re-dedication in 2014.

Sources

Websites
Hull Daily Mail - Sharp Street's First World War shrine to Hull soldiers will be returned to rightful place, accessed 29 April 2017 from http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sharp-street-s-world-war-shrine-hull-soldiers/story-20375100-detail/story.html#2j86XuQSG2w4z1B4.99
IWM Memorials - Sharp Street Shrine, accessed 29 April 2017 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/35505
War Memorials Online - Sharp Street Roll of Honour, accessed 29 April 2017 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/170393
Wordpress - Sharp Street Shrine, Hull, accessed 29 April 2017 from https://sharpstreetshrine.wordpress.com/about/
Wordpress - Sharp Street Shrine, Hull, accessed 29 April 2017 from https://sharpstreetshrine.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/sharp-street-hull-2012/
WW1 Hull - Kingston upon Hull War memorial 1914 - 1918, accessed 20 April 2017 from http://www.ww1hull.org.uk/index.php/hull-in-ww1/remembrance/hull-street-shrines

Other
Hull Daily Mail, 14 July 1917, Page 2, Column 2, Sharp-Street Roll of Honour

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