St George's House,
Northern Police Orphanage. 1898-1956
Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.
Many of the men & women who were raised at St George's House, fought in the First and Second World Wars and for that matter
in many of the armed conflicts since then. The intention of this article is to draw attention to the participation of St George's men
and women in all of the services, including Nursing and the Police Force. Below are reproduced some of those photographs
showing their involvement.
In most instances the men & women can not be identified, whilst this is regretted it nevertheless does not detract from the
meaning and purpose behind the article.
Flanking the St George's flag are two photographs of the 1918 War Memorial. This memorial was donated in December 1918 by
Dr & Mrs Crawford Watson and was unveiled by the Rt Honourable John Grenfell Maxwell, PC,GCB,Commander in Chief, Northern
Command. The image portrayed on the memorial shows the vision of St George appearing to and succouring Richard,Coeur de
Lion. Inscribed in gold on the pediment are the words 'Deus Vult', being the Crusaders motto.
When St George's closed, the Memorial was relocated to St Mary's Church in Westcliffe Terrace and later to St Andrew's Police
Convalescent Home (see photo below).
A further memorial in memory of those from St George's who lost their lives in the Second World War was erected by the Old Boys
and Girls, Easter 1947, this memorial has recently been refurbished (see photo below).
Thirty Seven old boys from St George's served during the First World War
and of these, 10 gave their lives.
Many also served during the Second World War and 5 of those sacrificed
their lives.
Above.William S. Meehan Above: Kathleen Webster
Peter A.Geraghty. Malaya 1956.
Lt Col (Rt'd) Peter A.Geraghty MBE, BEM.
Richard H.Peacock.
D.F.C. 6/4/1923 - 30/1/2005
Pilot Officer R.H.Peacock (191819) RAF (VR) 640 Squadron
Awarded D.F.C. 25/9/1945 - London Gazette.
CITATION
Pilot Officer Peacock has completed
numerous sorties against enemy
targets during his first tour of operations. One night, in October,1944
when detailed to attack Cologne, P.O.Peacock was forced to make
a long bombing run through heavy anti-aircraft fire. Despite this, he
continued with his task and bombed the target successfully.
An excellent photograph was secured. This officer has displayed
untiring gallantry and devotion to duty.
During the Second World War girls at the
Orphanage knitted various articles for the serving men, made camouflage
nets
and in conjunction with the St George's Scout Troop, collected salvage in the neighbourhood to contribute and
help in the war effort.
The War Memorial
1914-18
This memorial has been completely refurbished by Ripon Museum, where it
is now displayed.
It commemorates the boys from St George's who served with the Armed
Services during
the First World War. 37 served during the conflict of
which 10 lost their lives, they are:
Richard Ashburne
Vincent Wilson Boyd
Henry Crawford
Albert Flood
Russell Halliday
George Philbey
Frederick P. Phillips
Joseph Rotherforth
Cyril Sykes
Frederick Winks
The War Memorial 1939-45
This memorial has also been completely refurbished by Ripon Museum,
where it is on display.
The production of the memorial was carried
out by the firm of
Robert Thomson, the 'Mouseman of Kilburn' which is internationally
renowned for his oak carvings all
adorned with a hand carved mouse (look above the word House to see the
mouse shape).
It was erected by the
'Old' Girls and Boys in Easter 1947. to commemorate the 5
boys from St George's who lost their lives while serving with
the Armed Forces
during the Second World
War.
Henry Hunter Bagot
George William Boston
Lawrence Stanley Bryan
Herbert George Edwards
Desmond William Pepper
It is not possible to mention all of those who have joined and helped the Services over the years, suffice it to say that their contributions, whilst unspoken, are nevertheless quietly recognised and appreciated.
In the early part of 2007, when St Andrew's was undergoing
refurbishment, the two plaques were officially donated by Katherine
Martin, former Chief Executive Officer at St Andrew's, to Ralph Lindley
of the Ripon
Museum, where they are available for viewing by the public.
Deus vult