Association Pages
The proposed Memorial
Design factors to embrace all former Army Apprentices
The most difficult factor to simplify during the initial design discussions was to identify a single icon that, as far as possible, would be an all-embracing paradigm easily recognised by the majority of ex -apprentices .
The icon chosen was the first Army Apprentice School badge with the King George the Sixth crown.
Committee members were well aware that many apprentices were trained in various locations, and did not necessarily wear the Army Apprentice School badge as worn by a significant majority of apprentices who trained at the four colleges of Arborfield, Chepstow, Harrogate and Carlisle; an example among others, being the Royal Engineer Apprentices who trained at Fort Darland, Gillingham, Kent during 1939.
Ex-apprentices who trained at locations other than Arborfield, Chepstow, Harrogate and Carlisle, will appreciate the committee simply did not have space available to record on the memorial the location of each and every school/college.
This dilemma was resolved when Commemorative Tablets were introduced. Each tablet is engraved with name, apprentice school/ college/ establishment, intake, and school/college years, thus recording a donation and record of service for all who wish to contribute through this scheme.
For example: Alfred Smith. Aldershot, 38A. 1938-1941
Illustration by BARRY MIDDLEMASS (Ex-A/RSM Chepstow 60A )
And some there be, which have no memorial….and
are become as though they had never been born…
But these were merciful men, whose righteousness
hath not been forgotten….
Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out.
Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.
Ecclesiastics ch. 44 v. 9
Specification
All parts of the memorial described below will be constructed in accordance with the National Association of Monumental Masons’ Code of Working Practice.
In outline, the memorial will consist of:
a. A circular base of light grey non-slip granite with a diameter of 7 metres made up of cut and fitted slabs.
b. At the centre of the base will be a dark grey polished circular granite slab with engraved text.
c. Four light grey granite benches placed and fixed on the granite base at the perimeter.
d. Around the perimeter of the base engraved commemorative stone tablets will be laid in two circular rings.
e. A rough hewn block of dark granite approximately 1.8 metre high by 1.2 metre wide by 0.6 metre thick and fixed at the perimeter of the base.
a. The circular base of granite slabs will be laid on a reinforced concrete foundation
b. The concrete base will be further reinforced below the rough hewn granite block in order to support the weight of the monolith.
c. The base will be level with the surrounding area and the edge will present no trip hazard and will allow wheelchair access.
d. Four red lines marking out the quadrants pertaining to each of the four main apprentice schools. These will in actuality be set out with an infill of contrasting stone to the granite base panels.
e. Care will be taken to ensure the correct falls and drainage across the whole base area.
f. Every joint of the base will be hand pointed and sponged.
a. The circular slab will be made of granite of similar colour as the main granite block at the perimeter.
b. The centre slab will have a diameter of 0.9 metre.
c. The centre slab upper surface will be slightly domed to assist with water run-off.
d. The centre of the slab will carry a suitable engraved text with silver lettering.
e. The upper perimeter edge will be raised 75mm above the granite base to obviate any tripping hazard
a. As per the drawing, the four benches will be manufactured with rounded edges to obviate any dangers from slipping etc.
b. The benches will be made from polished light grey granite similar to the circular base.
c. On the front and back of each seat the name of one of the four apprentice schools will be engraved.
d. On the seat of each bench the badge of the sponsoring old boys’ association will be engraved.
e. The four benches will be positioned around the base.
f. The four bench seats will be curved to mirror the perimeter of the circular base.
a. The single granite block will have diamensions 1.8m x 1.2m x 0.6m.
b. The rear and sides of the block will be rough hewn.
c. The front of the block facing in to the circular base will carry the following:
(1) An engraved Army Apprentice School badge (King’s Crown) approximately 600mm high on a circular polished surface.
(2) Above the badge and in a size to ensure easy reading from the far edge of the memorial the words ‘THE ARMY APPRENTICE’ will be engraved
(3) Below the badge a suitable informative text will be engraved on a polished area.
(4) At the base of the block, an engraved inscription such as ‘Remembered with Pride’.
(d) At the foot of the block a sand-filled slot of approx 8mm wide by 1.2m long to accommodate memorial tributes.
a. Engraved commemorative Black granite tablets approx. 9" x 6" (225mm x 150mm) will be installed around the perimeter of the base, and will carry four lines of text: the name, school, intake and years as an apprentice.
b. The tablets will be laid in one or more rings, as required.
c. The tablets will be flush with the surrounding area and offer no trip hazard.
d. They are available to buy for £75 (£50 for families). They are also offered to all donors who contribute £75 or more, as a general donation.
e. It also offers the opportunity to be remembered, for those who served an Army trade Apprenticeship at other establishments.
f. The Buy a Tablet scheme is considered a major fund raiser for the Memorial.
To acknowledge the apprentice training locations, all known locations will be listed on a suitable tablet placed in a prominent position within the floor layout.
