Royal British Legion chiefs delighted with how a unique First World War memorial in Harborough has been protected and showcased

From left, Rev John Morley president, Susanne Stevens general manager and Stewart Harrison chairman outside the Rosewood Manor with the portico included in the project.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — From left, Rev John Morley president, Susanne Stevens general manager and Stewart Harrison chairman outside the Rosewood Manor with the portico included in the project. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Royal British Legion chiefs say they are “delighted” with how a unique First World War memorial in Market Harborough has been protected and showcased.

John Morley, 77, president of Market Harborough RBL, praised developers for looking after and restoring the Portico at the town’s old Cottage Hospital on Coventry Road.

And the Royal British Legion stalwart said the very moving tribute is now open again for townspeople to go along and see at the new 70-bedroom care home built on the site.

The portico unveiled.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — The portico unveiled. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“I want to say a big thank you to the developer Sterling Rose and the owner Acacia Care for doing such a fantastic job.

“We were not even sure that the Portico would be retained when the Cottage Hospital was shut in 2017 after almost 100 years,” said John, a retired RAF Wing Commander.

“We feared the worst for a while and thought it might have to be dismantled brick by brick and moved.

“So we are delighted that it has been so well cared for and restored as this beautiful care home, Rosewood Manor, was being built.

From left, Stewart Harrison chairman, Susanne Stevens general manager and Rev John Morley president outside the Rosewood Manor with the portico included in the project.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — From left, Stewart Harrison chairman, Susanne Stevens general manager and Rev John Morley president outside the Rosewood Manor with the portico included in the project. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“The Portico is very unusual in that it records the names of all 1,655 men from Market Harborough who went to fight for their king and country in the Great War from 1914-1918.

“Some 256 of these brave local men were killed in the carnage.

“Most war tributes up and down the country only list the men who made the ultimate sacrifice,” stressed John.

“The Cottage Hospital was opened in 1921, just three years after the war ended.

“And the Portico, a Grade 2-listed structure with marble panels, was added soon afterwards in 1923.

“It’s a magnificent tribute to all those courageous men from Market Harborough who went off to fight and to risk their lives.

“What makes it even more special is that the townspeople of the day came together to raise £5,000, a huge sum in those days, to fund this heartfelt memorial.

“That’s about £225,000 today.

“People can now go along and pay their respects to their relatives who took part in the greatest of all our wars over a century ago,” said the veteran priest.

“The Portico is a massive part of our town’s history and heritage.

“And we are so glad at the Royal British Legion that it has been saved and preserved for future generations.

“I’d also like to thank the staff at Rosewood Manor for adopting it and taking it under their wing.

“They have put candles, flowers and poppies at the Portico and we are very grateful to them for all their efforts, thoughts and their great care.”