"He lives in fame that dies in virtue's cause^[1]".

The War Memorial for Matlock, a massive Celtic cross in gritstone from local quarries, is at the summit of Pic Tor in Matlock Town. The names of 179 men who died in the Great War of 1914 -19 are inscribed on bronze tablets on the sides of the memorial. After the Second War of 1939 - 45 further names, also on bronze plaques, were added to the monument immediately below the names of the dead from the First War and these are on three of the memorial's four sides.

Described after the unveiling as "a memorial visible for miles around^[2]", the photograph above shows this to be no exaggeration. Matlock Bank, in the background, spreads across one of the opposite hillsides. When the monument was suggested as a fitting way to remember the war dead, Matlock's Council "secured for time immemorial the whole of the Pic Tor Rock and land, together with the promenade at the foot of the rock, which runs from the Park to Dale Road^[2]". Winding walks were added to the summit at the same time.

There had been a few hiccups along the way. By June 1920 the town's War Memorial collection had only raised £500, over half of which had been given by just seven subscribers. It was hoped a door to door collection would help^[3]. In early September it was announced that the Pic Tor Rocks and promenade had been acquired from Frederic Arkwright by Matlock UDC, with the intention of erecting the War Memorial on the top^[4].

The memorial was unveiled by Mr. F. C. Arkwright of Willersley, whose son's name was listed amongst the fallen, on Sunday 7th August 1921. His son-in-law was also a Casualty of War. When he addressed the crowd, Frederic Arkwright spoke from the heart about how it felt to lose someone. He added that "the site would be applauded by every one of the inhabitants of Matlock. It was his privilege to be able to find a site for the memorial. He had been in that fortunate position with regard to four memorials, and he believed that [Matlock] would be the last and most important, because it represented the largest population^[2]".

The commemoration ceremony took place on a very rainy Sunday afternoon, and the memorial was unveiled in front of "one of the largest gatherings of residents in the history of Matlock^[2]". Costing £500, it was designed by Mr. W. N. Statham and erected by Mr. John W. Wildgoose. The President of the War Memorial Committee, who were responsible for raising the funds, was Mr. Lubin G. Wildgoose and the hon. secretary was Mr. W. E. Williams.

The men who died were also remembered on the very moving floral tributes that were sent by relatives, friends, comrades, workmates, Matlock Urban District Council, the Scouts and Guides, the Matlock Rifle Club, Sunday Schools and local people who had known them. The most poignant tributes to read are perhaps those from the small children whose young fathers had died in the conflict.

In World War Two a number of Matlock young men were killed within a very short space of time but there were, thankfully, far less who perished. This time around the casualties were more evenly spread between the three services as more were airmen or naval personnel.

The photograph below shows scouts assembling at Artists' Corner for the Armistice Sunday parade in the late 1940s. Bernard Gale carries the 4th Matlock Troop Flag and adjusting his hat is Geoff Slater, with Neil Ollerenshaw hidden from view by Bernard. The parade marshall, in front, is Harold Briggs, Scoutmaster of 5th Matlock Troop.
[One scout not known, sorry]

Matlock St Giles, MIs in the church where there is a Book of Memory to the men who died in WW2. There is are lists of names of the fallen, including both some additional names that are inscribed on stone tablets at St. Giles' and names of men who were born in Matlock but have moved away, elsewhere on this site. Names on Matlock's War Memorial, WW1, A - J Names on Matlock's War Memorial, WW1, K - W Matlock's First World War Casualties Not Listed on the Memorial Names on Matlock's War Memorial, WW2 About St. Giles Church Matlock's War Memorial, After the Unveiling Ceremony (3 images) Matlock: Pic Tor and Riber Castle, with War Memorial, 1935

There is a small Memorial on the Hall Leys, close to Matlock Bridge. It is a solid block of millstone grit, mounted on a square stone base which in turn rests on a circular mill stone. Individual casualties were not named here as the stone is not large. It is, however, more accessible than the main memorial on Pic Tor and was initially dedicated to those who died in both Wars. The poppies on the wrought iron surround replicate the poppies of Flanders Field. It was unveiled on 13 June 1965.

The memorial has been updated to include others involved in the Wars, as the additional plaque facing the river shows (see below). It was unveiled in 30 June 2022.

The original memorial IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE TWO WORLD WARS 1914-1918 1939-1945

The refurbished and re-dedicated memorial, 2022 The poppies around the base are now red, symbolic figures have been added to the surround and a second plaque has been added to make it more inclusive.

The additional plaque
This commemorates all of those who served, both overseas and providing necessary support on the home front.

There is more information throughout the site about the "shared effort". Here are a few examples: Water Cures: What happened to the Hydros Discusses what happened to Rockside, Chatsworth and Smedley's Hydro during WW2. Matlock: Smedley's Hydro, The Inter-War Years has more on what happened in 1939. Darley Dale, Whitworth Institute Hospital. Staff & Soldiers June 1915 WW1 VAD nurse in the Vernon Lamb Archive Elizabeth Walton of Warney Mill was a VAD nurse in WW1

Although the young men of Starkholmes and Riber who died in the First World War are commemorated on Matlock's memorial at Pic Tor, it was decided they should have their own memorial. This was designed by Mr. J. Simpson of Matlock. The contract was awarded to Mr. John William Wildgoose and made by Mr. Boden in Stancliffe stone. The base was quarried at Lumshill. It faces almost due east and due west[10]. It is on land near the school (no longer there) that was given by Mr. Arkwright and cost £180, which was raised by voluntary contribution. The dedication ceremony took place on 23rd November 1919[6]. Canon J. W. Kewley, Rector of Matlock, conducted the dedication service. He was assisted by the Reverends John Bradbury, J. W. Chippett and H. Pattison, who also gave short addresses. Mr Arkwright, who was proud that his own son's name was on the memorial, said that these young men had sacrificed everything that was dear to them - even life itself[9].

Names on Starkholmes War Memorial. There's an enlargement of the inscription, a list of all the names of those who lost their lives and background information about the Casualties of War. There's also a photograph of the other side of the Memorial. Starkholmes ARP Wardens, about 1940 Air Raid Precaution Wardens played a vital part in Britain's defence during the Second World War.

The memorial takes the form of a carved Runic cross. The circle in the centre of the cross bears the words:
THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES.
Another inscription reads: Might Assails, 1914; Right Prevails, 1918". A third says: "Erected by the inhabitants of the villages of Starkholmes and Riber in honour of the soldiers who gave their lives for right and liberty in the great war of 1914-1918"^[10].

At the unveiling several white wreaths were placed around the monument, including ones in memory of Thomas Fearn, Harold Pursglove, W. R. Knowles and Charles J. Knowles. One of the wreaths was sent from the Convalescent Home at Chindras House. The committee who had brought it about was chaired by Mr. Geo. P. Savage, Ernest Statham was the hon. sec. and treasurer was George Evans. The committee members were Messrs. E. Pursgove and Chas. Pursglove, F. Growcott, A Robinson, George Blaymere, Geo. Hubbard, W. Hood, Chas. Fern, W. Statham, W. Brown, P. Jepson and H. Jones.^[9]

The memorial at Starkholmes is high on the hillside overlooking Matlock Bath. This photograph shows it set against the background of Masson hillside. The cable car going up to the Heights of Abraham and part of Matlock Bath on the other side of the valley can be seen.

References:

^[1] Inscription on Matlock War Memorial, Pic Tor.

^[2] "The High Peak News", 13 August, 1921, with thanks to County Hall LSL for providing the photocopy.

^[3] "Nottingham Journal", 15 June 1920. Matlock Memorial Hitch.

^[4] "Derby Daily Telegraph", 14 September 1920.

^[5] "The High Peak News", 7 May, 1921.

^[6] Information from Charles Beresford, who has been interested in Matlock Bath's memorial for many years and has written a book, "The Bath at War".

^[7] "Derbyshire Courier", 15 May 1920.

^[8] "ibid", 11 September, 1920.

^[9] "Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal", 28 November 1919. Starkholmes War Memorial. Unveiled by Mr. F. C. Arkwright.

^[10] "Derbyshire Courier", 29 November, 1919.