THE INTERESTING HISTORY OF BRIGG MONUMENT - ONCE ILLUMINATED BY GAS

The Monument in Brigg has been admired by many townsfolk and visitors ever since it was dedicated in 1919 in a ceremony attended by hundreds of people.
The above picture perhaps dates back to the 1930s and shows tall gas lights either side of a structure remembering men from the town who gave their lives in the service of their country. The names are listed on plaques near the base. 

 

This grey metal cabinet (purpose unknown) is currently close to the memorial.
It was there before the Monument was made a grade two listed structure in 2017.
Could another location have been found nearby for this box?
Due to legal requirements relating to roundabouts, today's road signs on the A18 circle are unavoidable.
For many decades Brigg had its own gasworks beside the Old River Ancholme, which supplied the town and some nearby
Some gas lights remained on streets in the town in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Brigg's initial gas company was formed in 1827.
In 1886 Mr Justice Chitty, sitting in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice in London, ruled that a prehistoric longboat discovered six feet below the surface of land being excavated by the Brigg Gas Company was the legal property of the Elwes family who owned the land and not the gas company which claimed ownership of the boat.
The Monument was donated to Brigg by Alderman Harry Stamp, a local businessman, magistrate and chairman of Brigg UDC.
It was one of the country's first war memorials erected following 'The war to end all wars'.
Scores of others were added across England in the 1920s, generally assisted by funding from local donors.
The Monument's dedication took place on June 15, 1919.
A local newspaper reported later that week: "Sunday will rank as one of the greatest historic days of Brigg, being comparable with the conclusion of the greatest war in national history. It was a great day because it saw the consummation of the magnanimity of spirit of Mr. H. Stamp, J.P., C.C., who privately had erected a monument to 102 fallen men of our town in the Great War."
It is believed that Alderman Stamp, chairman of Brigg UDC 1915-1919, lost a family member, or members in the war..
The name of another 'killed on active service' Brigg-born servicemen is to be added to one of the Monument's plaques in the not too distant future. He served during the 1930-45 conflict.
The picture below shows crowds gathering for the dedication in 1919, with no sign of gas lamps (a later addition). The three Wrawby Road properties, visible in the distance, are still present today.

 

 

 

The Monument and roundabout as it looks today.