11 commemorated in unveiling of plaque at St James Park
The Exeter City Football Club family joined together today, Remembrance Day, (Tuesday 11th November 2014) to remember those who had played for the Grecians and died in action during the First World War.Players, staff and supporters gathered at the newly erected memorial to the 11 City players who are known to have been killed in the conflict. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the players, the Club and its Supporters’ Trust.
The City XI commemorated on the stone plaque are:
Frederick Henry Bailey
Spencer Thomas Bassett
Joseph Bulcock
Edwin Clark
Arthur Evans
Frederick Thomas Hunt
William Kirby
Evelyn Henry Lintott
John Addems Webb
George Thomas White
Percival Worner
The memorial is part of a new area of the St James Park stadium where former players, staff and fans are honoured. The plaque overlooks a garden of remembrance, which includes primroses from the bank below the old Cowshed terrace. The garden and memorial can be seen just inside the Stadium Way entrance to the WTS stand.
The whole memorial project has been overseen by the Supporters’ Trust and managed by volunteer Andy Holloway. Funding for the project came from generous donations by the management and players, the Supporters’ Trust, John Fox and many individual fans and fans’ groups.
The memorial garden was prepared by Clive Pring and his Exeter City Estates team. Horticultural advice and support came from volunteer Michel Beer.
The stone plaque was produced and fitted by Richard Grant Memorials of Tiverton. Historical research was carried out by Aidan Hamilton, Alison Styles and Will Barrett.
A full dedication service is planned for 2015.
Paul Farley, Chair of Exeter City Supporters’ Trust Community Working Group, said: “Events of 100 years ago may seem very distant. But Exeter City Football Club is determined not to forget those former players who gave their lives.
“It is very fitting that we have commemorated those losses on Remembrance Day itself and in the centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War. It is particularly poignant to see today’s players remember their predecessors.”