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In August 1977 Service Secretary for Beryhill and Hanley Branch of the Royal British Legion Mr Jim Birch, a gardener at the National Coal Board, Area Headquarters, Staffordshire House, drew my attention to the Adderley Green Colliery War Memorial, which was attached to an old building situated at the entrance to Mossfield colliery. As this building was about to be demolished it was imperative that the Memorial be moved to Staffordshire House for safe storage, then later to the Area Laboratory at Chatterley Whitfield Colliery for restoration.
Shortly afterwards a series of correspondence passed between the Boards Area Director Mr J. R. Hunter , Deputy Director (add min) Mr J.B.Burton, and Mr Jim Birch, a decision was made to donate the Memorial to Beryhill and Hanley Branch of the Royal British Legion for display at their club.
The unveiling ceremony was to be performed by Mr Brian Burton, but sadly he was unable to attend. So I was asked if I would perform the rededication. During the evening The Club President gave a deeply moving tribute to those who lost their lives. Whilst buglers played the Last Post he read the remembrance response "e;They shall not grow old"e; . Following the ceremony my wife was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and I was interviewed by "e; Radio Stoke "e; .
Jim Birch retired from British Coal in 1985.
Towards the end of 2000, it was announced that the British Legion Club was to close. So once more the fate of the Memorial hung in the balance. Radio Stoke again became involved, and during a special program, presenter Sam Plank and Jim Birch told the listeners the history of the memorial and the part I played in its relocation.
Following meetings between interested parties it was felt that the best place for the Memorial would be St Chad’s Church, Adderley Green. It was as if it had come home.
I was subsequently contacted by Jim Birch, and visited him in May 2001. It was the first time we had met since 1985. He told me about the rededication ceremony at St Chad’s Church, and promised to let me know when it would be. He also loaned me the photograph of him with the Memorial. I feel we should all be grateful to him for his help in preserving the Memorial and its story.
