Central Library, West Bromwich
Image: The foyer of the Central Library, West Bromwich, where the Book of Memory can be seen.
Under the stairs in the foyer of West Bromwich Central Library, you will find a Book of Memory, dating from 1926, which lists the names of all the men of the town who served in the Great War. It sits in a glass-topped display cabinet with a carved inscription on the front, THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE, along with the borough crest. Above the cabinet is a framed, triangular-shaped wall-mounted board with a painted dedicatory inscription. It would be easy to miss.
Individual names are presented, in fine calligraphy, along with rank, number, regiment or service. On page 153, Frank Lane is listed with the note ‘Died on Service’, along with his two brothers; Joseph ‘Killed 1916’ and Moses ‘Died 1918’. There is no mention that Frank is buried in Batumi, aged 22. Along with their 13-year old sister, Lucy Helena, they all lived together with their parents at 220 Sandwell Road, just off the high street, near to the Corporation stables. Their father George worked as a miner and coal hewer.
The Central Library was built in 1906, with funds from the Carnegie Foundation, adjacent to the Italian Gothic-style town hall. Above the entrance stairwell are frescos with scenes from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and the interior library walls have paintings of notable landmarks, all produced by artists from the local art school.
In the foyer, there is also a Book of Remembrance from the Second World War, recording the names of those from the town who served during that conflict.
The painted dedicatory inscription, above the cabinet.
The main town war memorial can be found inside the entrance to Dartmouth Park. The parkland was originally gifted to the town by the Earl of Dartmouth in 1878, with additional land given ten years later. In June 1923 the then Prince of Wales visited the Park to present, on behalf of the 6th Earl of Dartmouth, the freehold of the Park to the people of West Bromwich, also meeting West Bromwich War Veterans. In August of that same year the memorial, paid for by public subscription, was unveiled by the Earl.
Download pdf of History of the War Memorial by the Friends of Dartmouth Park.
West Bromwich war memorial, Dartmouth Park, 1923, Sandwell Archives.
West Bromwich war memorial brochure, 1923, Sandwell Archives.
Remembrance Service, Dartmouth Park, 2019.
Remembrance Service, Dartmouth Park, 2019.
