TeesAMP plaque commemorates Newport Ironworks Great War soldiers

The Samuelson’s Newport Ironworks First World War Memorial restored by staff at TWI

A RESTORED plaque commemorating First World War soldiers who worked at the site of a 21st century high-tech manufacturing park will be unveiled next week.

The memorial to the 76 men who worked at the former Newport Ironworks and died during the 1914-18 conflict will be installed at the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park. The plaque will be formally presented to the families of the fallen solders by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston at a special ceremony on Monday (March 9).

Family members are due to attend, and will bring with them historical artefacts including an official telegram permitting a worker to leave his day job to join the war effort.

Representatives from The Royal British Legion and the Yorkshire Regiment will be in attendance along with Mayor Preston and Middlesbrough Council Armed Forces Champion Councillor Ron Arundale.

The team behind the development have worked alongside existing TeesAMP business TWI and historical consultants Heritage Unlocked to restore the plaque and promote its cultural and historic importance.

Dr Tosh Warwick, of Heritage Unlocked, said: "The TeesAMP development has provided a fantastic opportunity to further explore Middlesbrough's industrial heritage. The plaque is a tangible link to the workers' and the site's historic contribution to the war effort.

"The area's iron and steel industries helped to shape the world, and this restoration commemorates an important and poignant chapter in that rich history."