Molescroft Parish Council Restore Village’s Roll of Honour

As the anniversary to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I approaches later this year, Molescroft Parish Council has restored the village’s Roll of Honour.

Parish Councillors David Boynton & Jackie Heffer formed a working group, with the aim of restoring the Roll of Honour which lists the names of 20 Molescroft servicemen who took up the call to arms in the conflict. The roll records the death of only one serviceman Lieutenant Edmund Wigfall Military cross.

Cllr Boynton explained:

“The frame was made in 1916 by James Elwell, wood carver and twice mayor of Beverley. However, before it was placed in Molescroft Pavilion, it spent many years withstanding the elements on the outside wall of Molescroft pub, which meant that it was in need of some tender loving care.

“The parish council agreed to engage the services of a master carpenter to restore the shrine, which means that it will be available for future generations of Molescroft residents to view, and remember the sacrifices that their predecessors in the village made for their freedom.

“Historic records show that originally the flags of the four allied nations in the conflict were engraved on the shrine, but these were lost over the years. I’m delighted to say that we have now rectified this, and the four flags have been engraved in place of those that were lost.

As part of the events to mark 100 years since the end of WWI, the parish council is considering further projects in relation to the 20 men named on the shrine, and would like to hear from any relatives of these men listed below so that we can display their personal stories in Molescroft Pavilion.

James Appleton (Cadet, Royal Horse Artillery)
Arthur F Brewer (East Yorkshire Regiment)
William Davies (North Staffordshire Regiment)
Robert A Gibson (Army Service Corps)
Mark Hayton (Royal Navy)
Bethel Hayton (East Yorkshire Regiment)
Claude Hodgson (Captain, West Kent Regiment)
Harold Hodgson (Captain & Adjutant, Cheshire Regiment)
Arthur Milner (East Yorkshire Regiment)
Richard Nelson (Royal Navy)
Roland Nelson (Army Service Corps)
Charles Nelson (East Yorkshire Regiment)
Harold Nelson (Royal Navy)
Frederick Peck (Army Service Corps)
Ashley Plimpton (Captain, East Yorkshire Regiment)
Arthur Shout (Royal Garrison Artillery)
Charles Skinner (Northumberland Fusiliers)
Francis Thirsk (Royal Engineers)
Edmund Wigfall – Military Cross (Lieut, East Yorkshire Regiment)
Darcy Wray (Cadet, Royal Engineers)

Cllr Heffer stated:

“On behalf of Molescroft Parish Council, we would like to express our gratitude to the following organisations for their ongoing support of the project- Beverley Civic Society, East Riding Treasure House staff and Volunteers that have given some information on the listed men & enabled us to cross reference our own research.”

“We would like permission of living relatives to use the information and pictures for our future display project. Please forward or contact Cllr Jackie Heffer Email: cllr.heffer@molescroft-pc.gov.uk”

East Riding ward Councillor, Denis Healy, added;

“The work of parish councils like Molescroft in the local community is so important, and reconnecting residents to those from the village who join the armed services in WWI is a very worthwhile project, especially in this significant centenary year.”

“I understand that the parish council is planning a public unveiling of the shrine, nearer to the centenary once all the restoration work is complete and local people have come forward with stories about those named on the shrine.”

Barbara English:

Beverley Civic Society, commented;

“We are delighted that the Molescroft Board has been so beautifully restored. These Rolls of Honour with the names of men who served were not designed to last for 100 years, unlike the stone monuments that came later, so they are now rare survivals.”

“The plan to research the men’s lives further is an excellent one, and we wish the Parish Council every success with the project.”