This memorial commemorates former workers at the British Thomson-Houston factory who gave their lives during the two world wars. The inscription reads: ‘In Memory of the Men of the British Thomson Houston Co’y who gave their lives in the Great Wars. Their name liveth for evermore’. The memorial used to stand at the Mill Road entrance to the site but was moved as part of the redevelopment of the site. This caused some controversy locally because some people felt it was disrespectful to their memory.
Former BTH factory buildings
Some of the former factory buildings can still be seen near the war memorial, incorporated into the modern GE Energy factory on the site (which provides an interesting link back to one of the previous owners of the BTH factory).
Can anyone tell us what these old buildings were used for originally?
And do send us details if any of your ancestors is commemorated on this war memorial.
Comments
This war memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, has just been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* listing. Apparently it has a time capsule buried beneath it. Does anyone know what this capsule contains? Source: Rugby Advertiser, p. 4, Nov. 12, 2015.
My Father`s name, Bernard Stanley Rate is on the memorial. He was Bomber Command and was lost over Hamburg in `43. I have further details if you think they would be of interest.
The restoration and move was carried out in a most respectful way, for which I thank all concerned. I did notice when I last visited Rugby, late `15, that some of the names were eroding.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss Steve, and many thanks for your information. We’d be very interested to hear about your father’s work at BTH and any memories you have of Rugby.
Is there a list of names on this memorial at all? I have a note that my Great Grandfather, John Laurence Knight may have worked at British Thompson Houston in Rugby, but I have no further information.
Hi Tim, nice to hear from you. If you have a look at the close-up picture you can see names written around the circular base. When life gets back to normal I’ll go and have a look to see if I can find your gt-grandfather’s name there. I don’t know whether they listed all who served, or just those who died in WWI (though I suspect the latter, given the inscription on the cross).
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