The Bedern Memorial Board, continuing to honour the sacrifices of York families in WWI

A much-loved First World War memorial from York’s Bedern area is now set to be restored, thanks to the success of The Raree Show theatre performance at Merchant Taylors Hall, generous public donations, the work of volunteers from Holy Trinity, Goodramgate and Churches Conservation Trust.

A total of £2,216.98 has been raised — enough to cover the conservation of the Bedern Roll of Honour, which records the names of nearly 400 former pupils of the Bedern National School who served in the First World War. 

The Roll of Honour, now housed at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate commemorates “Old Boys” from one of York’s poorest areas. Red lines drawn underneath each name originally indicated whether a man was injured, captured or killed in the conflict, but these markings have faded and required urgent restoration.

The funding comes from the proceeds of The Raree Show held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall as part of the city’s Georgian Festival and other generous donations from supporters and sponsors. The process was made possible due to engagement from York Civic Trust in locating the experts to carry out the work and meeting the cost of securing the initial estimate. 

The Bedern Memorial Board will leave Holy Trinity on Monday 11 November to begin its restoration, ensuring the Roll of Honour can continue to tell the stories of York families affected by the war. There will be a final opportunity to view the Board before its departure on Sunday 9 November between 11am and 3pm.

Alongside the conservation work, the team at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, would be interested to hear from descendants of those listed on the memorial and share their stories. Anyone who believes they may be related to one of the following families is invited to contact york@thecct.org.uk:

• Arthur Aspinall, born around 1873. Arthur married Minnie Edwards in 1896, and they had 8 children.
• Bernard/Barnet Annenberg, born around 1837. Bernard was married twice. His first wife Annie died in 1895, and his second wife Sarah died in 1952.
• Arthur Helps, born around 1868. Arthur married Mary Hull in 1888 and they had 6 children.
• James Lane, born around 1847 in Ilmington, Warwickshire. James married Harriet, who was born in Downham Market, Norfolk, and they were living in York by 1882. They had 7 children.
• William Foster, born around 1860. William was married to Hannah/Anna, and they had 8 children.
• Annie Potter, born around 1873. Annie was married twice, first in 1892 to Ernest Townley (born around 1870), then to George Horsfall in 1917.

• There are also three names listed on the Roll of Honour that have the initials "M.M." to indicate they were awarded a Military Medal. These are:

  - Sidney Ellis, born in 1886 to John and Mary Ellis.

  - James Lofthouse, born in 1882 to Christopher and Mary Lofthouse.

  - John Hodgson Griffiths, born in 1896. His mother was Jessie Griffiths.

• Tantalisingly, there may also be another Military Medal awardee listed where the "M.M." was not transcribed. This was for Charles Higgins, born in 1887 to Charles and Rachel Higgins.

Holy Trinity, Goodramgate is cared for by CCT and has a dedicated volunteer team — new volunteers are always welcome.