Memorial Title

Belper - HMS Brocklesby

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial plaque regarding HMS Brocklesby in St John the Baptist's Chapel, Belper, Derbyshire.

Images

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Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
St John the Baptist's
Chapel Heritage Centre
St John's Road
Belper
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
DE56 1HX

NGR:
SK 35243 47532
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
At the southern end of the east wall.

Type

Overall type: Plaque.

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

A wall mounted brass plaque accompanied by a board and other memorabilia. The oblong plaque has a planished surface with projecting roundels at the head bearing the incised coats of arms of the Belper Urban and Rural District Councils at the head, and an inscription in raised upright capital block lettering. The board is in the shape of a shield and bears the badge of HMS Brocklesby in red and gold. The plaque and shield form part of a display incorporating photographs, badges, captions and other memorabilia relating the the ship.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Plaque	Brass	300	220	20	Fair
Board	Wood	c800	c650	c30	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

BELPER URBAN
DISTRICT COUNCIL

BELPER RURAL
DISTRICT COUNCIL

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945)	Totals
Action	Unspecified
Number died	0	0
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	0	0

THIS PLAQUE IS PRESENTED
TO H.M.S. BROCKLESBY
TO COMMEMORATE HER
ADOPTION BY THE
INHABITANTS OF THE
BELPER URBAN AND RURAL DISTRICTS
DURING WARSHIP WEEK
MARCH 14 - 21 1942

Administration

Custodian: Presumed to be Belper Town Council

Local authorities:
From WW2: Belper Parish Council; Belper Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Belper Town Council; Amber Valley Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

1940: HMS Brocklesby (L42) was a Hunt-class destroyer launched in 1940 which served in World War 2 and subsequently.

March, 1942: Residents of Belper and surrounding area raised money in National Savings to fund a warship. It is presumed that the local councils and the ship's crew would have exchanged mementos at about that time.

3 February 1966: The chapel was listed Grade II, Heritage List for England number 1335668.

October, 1968: HMS Brocklesby was sold for scrap and arrived at Faslane for breaking up. It is likely that mementos were salvaged from the vessel and returned to Belper.

1970s: The chapel became redundant and was converted to become the offices of the Belper Town Council and a Heritage Centre. It is assumed that the display was created at about that time.

1975-1992: The chapel lies within the Belper and Milford Conservation area designated and extended during that period.

December 2001: The chapel lies within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site inscribed on that date.

23rd January, 2013: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson. It was in fair condition and cared for.

References

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Comments

The memorial commemorates the efforts of the civilian population of Belper and area in contributing to the war effort, and of the crew of HMS Brocklehurst during WW2 and subsequent years.

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