The Dusty Archive

News of the Norman Cross Eagle Appeal

by Paul Chamberlain

While news of this project has been somewhat quiet of late, things are beginning to move. For those readers who have not heard of this Appeal before, the Eagle Monument at Norman Cross near Peterborough was erected in 1914 by the Entente Cordial Society to forge closer links with their French counterparts, by remembering the 1,770 prisoners of war who died and were buried at the prison depot of Norman Cross between 1797 and 1814. This monument consisted of a bronze eagle atop a stone column, and stood alongside the A1 road.

This familiar land mark was vandalised in October 1990, and shortly afterwards an Internatlonal Appeal was instigated to restore and resite the monument (the Appeal target is £ 30,000). Funds have been donated from both within the UK and from around the world. Extensive road Improvements in the area preclude reerecting the monument on the original site. ilowever, things have changed recently.

While the funds raised so far are not enough to recast the Eagle, an area of land on the Norman Cross to Yaxley Road has been earmarked for the monument, and the stone column will be erected here sometime in October/November of this year. The monument will be much nearer the actual site of the depot, and eventually there will be an Interpretative plaque alongside to explain the history of the prison depot. While the reinstatement of the stone column is but a part of the overall aim of the Appeal, this event and the small ceremony to mark the occasion will be used to highlight the Appeal and ask for further funds from both individuals and corporate bodies.

If you would like to donate to this Appeal, for which you will receive acknowledgement and be put on the mailing list for the Appeal Newsletter, then send your donation (payable to The Norman Cross Eagle Appeal) to: The Treasurer, The Norman Cross Eagle Appeal, Peterborough City Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1LF.

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