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Notes

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The subject wears a naval rating’s uniform. The bust is mounted on a pedestal; at its front is a plaque with a lion and a wreath.

Title

Memorial to John Henry Carless (1896–1917), VC

Date

1918–1919

Medium

bronze & Portland stone

Measurements

H 70 x W 70 x D (?) cm;
Plinth: H 244 x W 100 x D 100 cm

Accession number

WS1_RA_S094

Acquisition method

commissioned by the British War Memorial Committee

Work type

Monument

Owner

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Custodian

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Work status

extant

Listing status

Grade II (England and Wales)

Unveiling date

21st February 1920

Listing date

06/01/15

Access

at all times

Signature/marks description

on the right lower side of the bust: R. J. EMERSON SCULPTOR 1918

Inscription description

inscribed at the top of the pedestal: VALOUR; at the foot of the pedestal: ERECTED BY THE / INHABITANTS OF / WALSALL – 1919; on the bronze plaque: JOHN HENRY / CARLESS, VC / BORN AT WALSALL 11TH NOVEMBER 1896, / KILLED IN ACTION. HELIGOLAND / BIGHT 17TH NOVEMBER 1917. / AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS / 'FOR MOST CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY / AND DEVOTION TO DUTY. ALTHOUGH / MORTALLY WOUNDED IN THE ABDOMEN, / HE STILL WENT ON SERVING THE GUN / AT WHICH HE WAS ACTING AS RAMMER, / LIFTING A PROJECTILE AND HELPING / TO CLEAR AWAY THE OTHER CASUALTIES. / HE COLLAPSED ONCE, BUT GOT UP, / TRIED AGAIN, AND CHEERED ON THE NEW / GUN'S CREW. HE THEN FELL AND DIED. / HE NOT ONLY SET A VERY INSPIRING / AND MEMORABLE EXAMPLE BUT HE / ALSO, WHILST MORTALLY WOUNDED, / CONTINUED TO DO EFFECTIVE WORK / AGAINST THE KING'S ENEMIES'; around the subject's cap: HMS CALEDON

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Lichfield Street, Walsall

WS1 1SE

Outside the library.

Memorial to John Henry Carless (1896–1917), VC

Robert Jackson Emerson (1878–1944)

Lichfield Street, Walsall

How you can use this image