In Time

The War Memorial, which stands beneath the shadow of Conisbrough Castle, was repaired in time for Sundays remembrance parade and service.

The memorial, depicting a soldier with a rifle and fixed bayonet, was damaged by vandals, the alloy bayonet being snapped off. Conisbrough Council received two offers to replace a world one type bayonet, one from a Mexborough man, Mr J. C. Wilkinson, of pym Road, and the other from 16 year old John Jaques, of Westwood side, Isle of Axholme.

Made in 1908

Mr J. Barton, deputy engineer and surveyor to Conisbrough Council, told the “South Yorkshire Times.” This week that they had decided to keep the bayonet kindly given by the Mexborough man as a model should they have to replace the bayonet again. “We decided against fixing the actual bayonet because children are use could have lassoed it and in their hands it would have been a dangerous weapon,” he said. “Instead we have replaced it with an alloy bayonet and should anyone try to pull that down it will merely break.”

The bayonet that is being kept was made in 1908, while the second one they were offered is a United States bayonet. Mr Barton said: “We are most grateful to the person who provided us with the bayonet, which was fixed in time for the remembrance ceremony.