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CA Grazebrook and the Officers and Men of Dudley

Grazebrook's Men of Dudley war memorial was funded by Councillor Francis Grazebrook a prominent local landowner and industrialist. It is also built on land donated by him to the people of Dudley. The memorial commemorates Charles Avery Grazebrook, son of Francis Grazebrook who lost his life on the 10th of March 1915 aged 27 whilst serving in the Kings Rifle Corps.

The war memorial is located in the community’s local park. The structure comprises an octagonal sandstone base originally surmounted by sandstone cross with polygonal shaft. It is understood that the memorial was damaged c.1961 at which time the sandstone cross removed. Little is known of the circumstances surrounding this occurrence however local reports suggest the shaft was either struck by lightning or vandalised. The sandstone plinth cap was replaced with granite and the metal cross inserted in to what remained of the original cross base in 2002.

In 2015, War Memorials Trust offered £12,050 through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme towards works to reinstate the original cross and plinth cap. The proposals were based on a single photograph uncovered following a public appeal. Although the photograph is taken from a distance, it provided the project architect with enough detail to inform a reinstatement based on the original design.

The inscription located on the base of the memorial reads:

“To the memory of
C.A. Grazebrook
the Officers & Men of Dudley
who gave their lives for
their country in the war”

“1914 – 1918”

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM8777
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 48055

 War Memorials Online: 181807

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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