Gallipoli Association members John Hale and Steve Moore have worked doggedly since 2015 to locate, preserve and ensure a visible presence of a “missing” bronze memorial plaque. This was originally located in the Hall at The Sir Gilbert Claughton School, Dudley. It was unveiled by the then Headmaster James Golding on the 28th May 1921, when the school was called Dudley Higher Standard School and it commemorated the 53 ex pupils of the school who died in the Great War.

John Hale located a copy of the Order of Service for that event (see below). When the building finally closed vandalism and arson ravaged the building and it was thought that the Plaque had disappeared. However local Great War Historian John Hale discovered that it had been safely stored by the Council’s Corporate Landlords team, who had the foresight to remove the plaque.

John Hale and Steve Moore (an ex pupil at the school) have been patiently encouraging Dudley Council to put the memorial on secure public display. Now, thanks to the interest of ex Mayor Hillary Bills and the support of local Councillors, the impressive plaque is mounted in a prominent new location at the main entrance of Dudley Council Offices. John and Steve were invited to see the plaque in its new location in the Council offices on the 29th January 2026 by Councillor Ali Shaukat. Four of the men on the plaque have a Gallipoli connection:

Sidney Brough Pte PO/18470, Portsmouth Battalion RMLI. KIA as a result of shellfire on 27th December 1915. He is buried Redoubt CWGC.

Wilfred Dukes Pte 16385, 4th Worcesters. KIA Krithia Vineyard, 6th August 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

Hiram Hinton Pte 16434, 4th Worcesters. KIA First Krithia, 28th April 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

James Keeley Pte 2165, 2 Troop A squadron Worcestershire Yeomanry, died from dysentery in Dudley Road Military Hospital, Birmingham on the 8th February 1916. He is buried St James Churchyard Eve Hill, Dudley.

To mark the relocation and 105th anniversary of the dedication, a commemorative event is planned, allowing relatives, local residents and former pupils to attend and view the memorial plaque in its new home.

Report by Margaret Carter

Hon. Secretary, The Gallipoli Association