2014

SK2268 : Carving on a stone bridge parapet; Indianhead

taken 10 years ago, near to Bakewell, Derbyshire, England

Carving on a stone bridge parapet; Indianhead
Carving on a stone bridge parapet; Indianhead
World War 1 carvings, Bakewell railway bridge

An artist and historian, David Kelsall, is reported by the Peak Courier newspaper to have discovered carvings on the bridge parapet relating to the First World War. They depict a tank, a Lewis Gun, and aeroplane, a howitzer and the head of a Red Indian with head-dress.

LinkExternal link
describes how
"The 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead" patch is one of the most recognized unit emblems in the U.S. Army because of its distinctive design...
The origin of the patch goes back to the earliest days of the division's history. While training with the French in 1917, Col. Herringshaw of the Service and Support Supply of the 2d Infantry Division Noticed that the French trucks were marked with symbols representing the unit which it belonged. He sponsored a contest among his men to design a symbol for his trucks. There were three winners: first prize winner was a design featuring an Indianhead; second prize went to a plain white star and the third prize is lost in history.

The Colonel was not completely satisfied and it is believed that, by chance, he combined the two symbols of the white star and Indianhead and liked what he saw. Some theories say that the single star represents the state of Texas, while others claim the star is from the American Flag".

The carvings can be seen best in low,but bright sunlight.

Mr Kelsall's theory is that they were done by troops convalescing in the Red Cross Hospital, about 1/4 mile away, (formerly the workhouse, and now Newholme Hospital)

The year in which they were done ?
In World War 1 tanks first appeared at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in September 1916. It was the first time tanks had ever been used in a military conflict.
The British sent 49 tanks into the battle.

The introduction of the "Indianhead" markings on US vehicles came in 1917.

The date 1918 is incised into one of the slabs on the parapet, just below and to the left of the tank.

They may have been done over a period of time, but unlikely to have been done before 1916.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Peter Barr and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Lowlands Suburb, Urban fringe People, Events Defence, Military other tags: Carvings Stone Carvings World War 1 Bridge Bridge on Dismantled Railway Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
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SK2268, 271 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Peter Barr   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 8 April, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Tuesday, 8 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SK 2228 6897 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:13.0394N 1:40.0679W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SK 2228 6897
View Direction
East-northeast (about 67 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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