A HISTORIAN who was outraged to discover two precious war memorials had been removed from their setting after a century and sold via an auction house the day before Remembrance Sunday has urged local leaders to help protect remaining tributes in Barnsley.

Jane Ainsworth, founder of the Barnsley War Memorials Project, said she was shocked to receive a tip-off via email of the sale, which was overseen by Thurnscoe-based Harrisons.

It’s understood the two memorial plinths which contain engravings of fallen soldiers’ names were removed from the position they had held for 103 years when Cudworth Methodist Church closed its doors.

However, despite attempts to purchase them before and during Saturday’s auction, they sold for £420.

Jane said: “I was outraged to learn that the precious war memorials were being sold and thought the date was unbelievably insensitive.

“I contacted Barnsley Museums, who obtained background research from Barnsley Archives about the church.

“Unfortunately, they were unable to bid for the memorials but they were fully supportive of Andy Jones who contacted me about the sale and trying to acquire them using our own money.

“We wanted them to be put back on display as they had been for 103 years until 2022, when the church closed and was taken on by a charity, The Exodus Project.

“I phoned Harrisons twice to explain my concerns about war memorials being sold, but they told me they could not remove them from sale so I asked them to pass on my phone number to the vendor, hoping that I could get them removed from auction and negotiate a reasonable price.

“I do not know whether either bothered the vendor failed to contact me.

“I was appalled when it was suggested to me that their sale was no different from other militaria.

“I found this incredibly distressing, especially at a period of remembrance, which is an important occasion for many people in which we affirm that we will not forget and we show gratitude for lives cut short.

“I was devastated when Andy, who bid for us, informed me at midday on Saturday that we had been rapidly overtaken and the memorials sold for £420 plus fees.

“We have no idea who bought them or for what purpose.”

Jane who contacted Barnsley North MP and military veteran Dan Jarvis has called for better protection, especially when buildings which contain memorials sell.

“This very unfortunate experience highlights how vulnerable war memorials are,” she added.

“Although included on the War Memorials Trust’s register, there is no legal protection except for those large ones outside that receive listed status.

“Barnsley has already lost quite a few war memorials as we discovered after I started searching for and recording them to create the Barnsley Roll of Honour.

“Various churches or chapels had been demolished and no-one bothered to find new homes for the war memorials, which were probably destroyed.

“Nobody knows how many others have been lost from clubs and other premises.

“So I’d like to make a plea to everyone in Barnsley: if you become aware of a war memorial under threat, please encourage those involved to save it.

“If you are uncertain what to do, please contact the Chronicle, Barnsley Museums or Dan Jarvis so that they can involve other interested parties to come up with a solution.”

Dan said: “It is very important that we ensure the memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives whilst serving our country is preserved.

“Memorials to them are a vital part of our shared history and they should be on display for current and future generations to see.

“I will continue to do all I can to ensure just that, working with tireless campaigners like Jane and Barnsley Council to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”