Lest we forget - 100th anniverary of the Great Gable plaque
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
On Saturday 8 June 2024 FRCC members made ascents of all the 12 summits which were part of the ‘Great Gift’ of land from the FRCC to the National Trust in 1923. One member made ascents of all the summits himself and two members climbed the iconic Napes Needle. At 4pm they all gathered on the summit of Great Gable where the President (John Holden) and Richard Hargreaves (FRCC member and Great Nephew of Geoffrey Winthrop Young) led a short service of rededication of the plaque. The plaque was draped in the flag which had been flown on HMS Barham at the Battle of Jutland - the same flag as used in 1924.
Richard told of the life of Young and read the first, poignant paragraph, read by Young himself in 1924:
Upon this mountain summit we are met today to dedicate this space of hills to freedom. Upon this rock are set the names of men - our brothers, and our comrades upon these cliffs -who held, with us, that there is no freedom of the soil where the spirit of man is in bondage; and who surrendered their part in the fellowship of hill and wind
and sunshine, that the freedom of this land, the freedom of our spirit, should endure.
The President read the names of the 20 members commemorated on the plaque which was then unveiled and a two minutes silence observed.
The Great Gift was a milestone in commemorating casualties of conflict by giving freedom to roam in the mountains for future generations, which we now enjoy. However, with that freedom comes a responsibility to look after these same hills and mountains for our own children and grandchildren to enjoy.
The history of the Great Gable plaque
The Fell and Rock Climbing Club (FRCC) was founded in 1906 to “encourage the pursuits of fell walking and rock climbing, particularly in the English Lake District”. Although founded before women had the vote, membership has always been open to men and women. Today the club has over 1100 members from around the UK.
Shortly after the club was formed, in 1914 Europe was plunged into the First World War, with massive losses of soldiers on both sides. At a time when the membership of the club was little over 300 men and women, 78 members served in the forces in the war. Of these servicemen 20 were either killed in action or died of their wounds.
After the war there were discussions as to how these brave men could be best commemorated by the Club. There were several ideas but by 1920 the favourite was to buy a fell upon which to build a memorial to those fallen in the war. This was apparently first launched by HP Cain from FRCC with the historic words “Let’s buy a Fell” in February 1919. Initial plans to buy Pillar (for £50), and then Napes Needle were unsuccessful. A Mr Herbert Walker of Seascale subsequently bought the farm at Wasdale Head which included Great Gable and Napes Needle. This new owner was approached by representatives of FRCC in 1923 with an offer to buy the Needle, and as negotiations were going well they discussed the possibility of extending the offer to include Great Gable. When Mr Walker and his solicitor asked for a more precise statement of what was wanted, Herbert Cain pointed to a map of the central part of Lakeland and said “all of this over 1500 feet”.
Herbert Walker, an old climber and previous member of FRCC, was sympathetic to the idea and requested £400 for the deal. This was to include all land above the 1500 foot contour, but dropping to include Kern Knotts, and rising to exclude Sty Head Summit. Nearly £600 was raised from 450 members and the sale was agreed. Then at the Annual FRCC Dinner in Coniston in October 1923 the title deeds to 3,000 acres of high fells in central Lakeland including Lingmell, Broad Crag, Great End, Seathwaite Fell, Allen Crags, Glaramara, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Green Gable, Base Brown, Brandreth and Grey Knotts were donated to the National Trust for “the use and enjoyment of the people of our land for all time”.
A bronze plaque was then made as a permanent memorial. This was a relief map of the area purchased and a list of those that had been killed cast in bronze. It was carried up Great Gable on a stretcher, but higher up was strapped to a rucksack. Members carried it in turn but apparently could only manage 200 yards at a time due to the weight.
The plaque was unveiled on Sunday June 8 1924 attended by a “nearly silent throng of some 500 climbers, hillwalkers and dales folk assembled in soft rain and rolling mist, the gloom and gentle wind sounds added to the impressiveness of the occasion. There was no effort at pageantry or emotion”. One of those to speak was Geoffrey Winthrop Young, a well known climber, poet and educator who had lost a leg in the war. Young subsequently climbed the Matterhorn in 1928, later becoming President of the Alpine Club and it was through his efforts that the British Mountaineering Council was created in 1945.
The date of the 8 June 1924 was poignant as it was also the day the George Mallory (a friend of many on the summit that day) and Andrew Irvine were last seen before going missing on Mount Everest.
Subsequently every November on the Sunday closest to the 11th day, the FRCC holds an Act of Remembrance: all are welcomed whatever their beliefs. It is not uncommon for over 500 people to attend in all weathers! Alterations were made to the original plaque due to incorrect spelling and a wrong initial, and then the plaque was re-cast in 2013, having been carried down off Great Gable, and then replaced by a team of Royal Engineers. The original plaque has been placed in St Olav’s churchyard at Wasdale Head.
Source material: “We Remember” FRCC publication, 2014; FRCC Journal Archives (1923, 1924).
Related Content
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a peer-led walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Paul Justin guiding the route. This social walk will start from Hayfield and explore the western end of the Kinder Scout plateau. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a peer-led walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Bev England guiding the route. This social walk will explore Baslow Edge and Curbar Edge, returning alongside the River Derwent. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Article
When it comes to gift-giving, we know the best things in life aren't always 'things'! Team BMC have been hard at work putting together a list of really great Christmas gift ideas that are a bit ‘outside the box’...
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a Social Hike in the High Peak delivered by Members of the Rucksack Club on Saturday 30th November 2024
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Rock Climbing Skills
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Hillwalking Skills
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Hillwalking Skills
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Hillwalking Skills
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Hillwalking Skills
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Hillwalking Skills
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Hillwalking Gear
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Hill Walking
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Mountaineering Learn Gear
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Hill Walking
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.
Hill Walking Articles
When out for the day it is likely you will need to go to the toilet at some point. Whether it be for ones and twos or refreshing period products, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know to be prepared. Things can get tricky out there so we will run through the ideal options through to the less ideal, but sometimes necessary, options when it comes to toileting. Wherever you can try to focus on what will have the least impact and do as much as possible to leave no trace.
Hill Walking Articles
Menopause is a significant and transformative phase of life. It is a natural biological process during which ovulation stops and periods end. The experience of menopause can be different for each individual and often comes with a wave of physical and emotional changes. In this guide, we will explore the different phases of menopause, common symptoms, and the power of regular movement and exercise to manage symptoms and support good health.
Hill Walking Articles
Christine Cornock shares how she managed her period along the South West Coastal Path multi-day hike.
Hill Walking Articles
Hillwalking Skills
Hill walking in winter covers a spectrum of difficulty and technicality, take a look at winter walking options, and what you’ll need to consider when choosing a route.
Hillwalking Qualification Training
Whether you want a career in the outdoors, or to improve your own personal skills, there are a number of training providers offering courses and instruction.
Hillwalking Gear
This article helps you decide what sort of crampons are suitable for your winter walk, or whether micro-spikes could be an option, as well as discussing the compatibility of crampons to walking boots.
Hillwalking Skills
A look at some of the benefits of poles and how to use them for hill walking.
Hillwalking Gear
Walking boots can be expensive and should last a long time, so this article looks at factors to consider before you buy.
Hillwalking Gear
Points to consider if you're wondering ‘Do I need crampons for walking in winter?’
Hillwalking Skills
Being able to read a map and find your way around the hills is an essential skill for all hill walkers, and practice is the real key.
Hillwalking Gear
A look at types of small, lightweight stoves suitable for hill walking and backpacking trips.
Article
What should you look for when choosing down products? Some factors to consider when investing in new down gear.
Hillwalking Skills
If you’ve enjoyed walking in summer and want to continue through the winter, here are ten things you need to know before you go.
Hill Walking Articles
Clean out your kit cupboard and put a spring in your step knowing that you’re making greener choices throughout the lifecycle of your outdoor products.
Hillwalking Gear
Hill walking doesn’t require as much specialist equipment as many other outdoor activities, but is important to have the appropriate equipment for the route and activity you have chosen and the weather forecasted. In this article we outline the basic equipment every hill walker needs:
Hillwalking Gear
In this article we’ve listed the ideal range of hill walking items so you can head out with everything you might need.
Article
What’s better than a day in the hills? Easy – several days! Here are our tips for walkers looking to take their first steps into walking far and sleeping enroute.
Hillwalking Gear
We take a look at what clothing to wear when hill walking, and how to layer it to stay warm, dry and comfortable in cold and wet conditions.
Hillwalking Skills
This article outlines a few navigation techniques you can practise to stack the odds in your favour in poor visibility and severe weather.
Hillwalking Skills
Pinpointing your exact location is one of the most basic and important skills when hill walking. This article outlines a number of ways to do just that:
Article
The BMC and Mountain Training have put together resources leaders should take a look at and can use to educate and equip themselves when taking groups out into the outdoors and talking about topics including periods, menopause and nutrition in the outdoors.
Hillwalking Qualification Training
If you’d like to guide people up hills in winter conditions the Winter Mountain Leader qualification could be for you.