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Garvagh

Garvagh war memorial is a castellated two-stage clock tower which stands 40ft in height housing two bells, weighing 6cwt, which strike the hour. The structure is constructed of squared rock-faced local basalt black stone with concrete dressings and was constructed c.1924 to commemorate those who lost their life during World War I. There are clock faces in concrete surrounds to all four sides and six recessed rectangular louvered openings each elevation. A doorway containing a metal door with slide bolt is positioned on the west face through which the interior higher levels accessed by metal ladders bolted to the walls to each stage is given. The lower stage has recessed polished stone inscription plaques to three sides engraved with the names of thirty three men who died in World War I and a further 139 who returned, including seven nurses. An additional plaque was added following World War II. The concrete string course between stages is inscribed ‘For God - For King - For Country on alternate sides. The memorial is surrounded by similar low wall and mounted on a three stepped base and is located at the southern end of Main Street in Garvagh.

In 2020, a grant of £20,000 was given through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme towards conservation and repair works. The memorial had been pointed using a cement mortar which had caused the retention of moisture in the building’s fabric and compromising the structure. These construction joints were carefully raked-out and re-pointed using a lime mortar. In addition, specialist works were carried out to restore the clock mechanisms with the clock face and hands re-painted. The battlements required dismantling and rebuilding with new coping stones positioned and a new lead roof (plus outlet and overflow) were installed. The interior of the building was allowed to dry-out with rotted timber replaced with new access platforms. The works were delayed by the Covid Pandemic but completed for November 2021.

The inscriptions read:

‘The Fallen Faithful Until Death’ ‘Their Name Liveth For Evermore’
‘Second World War 1939-1945’
‘Served’ ‘Wherever a son of Ulster is Honour and Glory Shall Aye be His’

The lintel above the memorial plaque to the east elevation reads:

The Great War 1914 – 1918’

Above the west door the lintel reads:
‘T.A Johnston. Architect Tt Fleming Building Contractor. Garvagh A.L Mann. Clock Contractor J Mcafee, Sculptor, Coleraine.’

The structure is B1 Listed by Northern Ireland’s Historic Environment Division.

In 1919 a committee was formed to raise funds for the erection of a war memorial in Garvagh. The original design of the tower was six-sided. The present site was given by Edward Stronge of Garvagh House and a local man, Thomas Johnston of Lisachrin designed the tower that was ultimately built. The building contract was carried out by Thomas Fleming of Killyvalley and the stonemasons were John Lamont and Robert and Hugh Faith, whose brother had been a war casualty. The concrete base had been laid by June 1923 and building began on 3rd September. The clock, made by Midland Clock Works was in place by the end of February 1924. The memorial cost £850 largely paid by public subscription. The memorial was unveiled on 27th March 1924 by Captain Charles Stronge.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM11011
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 6185

War Memorials Online: WMO/181795

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

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