On This Day, 18 December 1918

Birmingham Daily Post 

Wednesday 18 December 1918

BIRMINGHAM’S WAR MEMORIAL.

MAJOR J. HALL EDWARDS’S SUGGESTION

Major J. Hall Edwards is putting forward a suggestion for a Birmingham memorial for those who have fallen and as a lasting monument to the heroism, courage, patience, and self-sacrifice of those who helped to win the war. He suggests that a large building should be erected in the centre of the city which should be devoted to the interests of Birmingham men who have served in the present and previous wars. Leading from an entrance hall there would large central meeting hall capable of holding 4,000 or 5,000 people, and there would also be club-rooms for officers, N.C.O.’s, and men; labour exchange and information bureau; a special department for looking after the interests of the widows, children, and dependants of men who have fallen; a department of education for disabled men, a medical outpatient department, canteen, &c.

Major Hall Edwards suggests that such an institution would be self-supporting, would be non-party political, non-sectarian, and. should be managed by ex-soldiers for ex-soldiers.