Description

52/0/10014

MEMORIAL SQUARE
Memorial Clock Tower

09-APR-10

II
Memorial clock tower by Henry Collins, 1925.

MATERIALS: Staffordshire brick, Stone and Granite.

PLAN: Square in plan, the memorial clock tower stands 68 feet tall with close vertical projecting bands and a stone top with concave sides. Its square base measures 13feet 6inches square and the tower is approached by a set of steps on each side with associated wing walls built in local rubble granite. There is a clock face at the top of each of the four sides.
The inscription reads THIS TOWER/ WAS/ ERECTED/ BY THE /INHABITANTS/ OF THE DISTRICT/ IN MEMORY/ OF THE MEN/ WHO WENT FROM/ THE COALVILLE URBAN/ AREA. There are three identical tablets to the fallen of World War I which read: IN LOVING AND GRATEFUL REMEMBERANCE/ OF (NAMES)/ WHO, TO THEIR IMPERISHABLE HONOUR GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918. There are four identical tablets to the fallen of World War II: IN LOVING AND GRATEFUL REMEMBERANCE/ OF/ (NAMES)/ WHO, TO THEIR IMPERISHABLE HONOUR GAVE/ THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1939-1945.
The inscription on a memorial stone near the north side of the clock tower reads: "FOR YOUR TOMORROW/ WE GAVE OUR TODAY"/ THIS STONE COMMEMORATES/ THE ENDING OF THE/ 2ND WORLD WAR/ 15TH. AUGUST 1945/ THEIR SACRIFICE WAS NOT IN VAIN/ "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"/

SUBSIDARY FEATURES: A separate memorial stone is situated close to the north side of the clock tower. It commemorates the end of World War II and is clearly later in date but is now integral to the context of the clock tower.

HISTORY: The memorial clock tower was designed by Henry Collins and built by W Moss Ltd in 1925 at a cost of £2,250. It was designed to replace the first cenotaph to The Fallen which had been installed in the boundary wall of the railway station in 1919. The memorial clock was officially opened by Mrs Booth of Gracedieu Manor at a memorial service on October 31st 1925. Ten thousand people attended and the Coalville Company of the 5th Leicestershire regiment led a procession, headed by the regimental band. A procession of ex-servicemen and a detachment of C squadron of the Leicestershire Yeomanry marched from Whitwick and another party of ex-servicemen, including 22 surviving members of the 'first fifty' was led from the Fox and Goose public house by The Hugglescote and Ellistown Band.

SOURCES
UK National Inventory of War Memorials, Ref 14828

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION
The memorial clock tower at Coalville, built in 1925, is designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons:
* Architectural Interest: The memorial clock tower is an imposing, proud and architecturally distinctive tribute to The Fallen of the First and Second World Wars.
* Historic Interest: It is an important reminder of nationally and internationally significant events. Its special historic interest is enhanced by the memorial stone erected specifically to mark the end of the Second World War.

This List entry has been amended to add the source for War Memorials Online. This source was not used in the compilation of this List entry but is added here as a guide for further reading, 20 January 2017.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 29 July 2021 to reformat the text to current standards

Reasons for Listing

The memorial clock tower at Coalville, built in 1925, should be designated at Grade II, for the following principle reasons:
* Architectural Interest: The memorial clock tower is an imposing, proud and architecturally distinctive tribute to The Fallen of the First and Second World Wars.
* Historic Interest: It is an important reminder of nationally and internationally significant events. Its special historic interest is enhanced by the memorial stone erected specifically to mark the end of the Second World War.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26672888

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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