Building record BSE 773 - Suffolk Regiment memorial homes, 47 and 48 Out Risbygate, Bury St. Edmunds

A pair of Edwardian, red brick, memorial cottage homes. Designed by Mr A Ainsworth-Hunt, architect and built by Messers. Barbrook and Houghton of Bury St. Edmunds, on land almost opposite the Depot Barracks of the Suffolk Regiment.

One cottage erected by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society (now SSFA), in memory of H H Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, who died in Pretoria in 1900, and the other erected in memory of the officers and men of the Suffolk Regiment who fell in South Africa 1899-1902. These memorial cottage homes were opened by H H Princess Christian in memory of her son on a royal visit to Bury St. Edmunds in April 1904.

In an extract from the Evening Star newspaper of 12th April 1904, referring to these memorial cottage homes, it was reported that "On the outside, over the doorways, is a skilfully carved presentation of the badge of the regiment. The Homes are two substantially-built red brick houses, each having on the ground floor a commodious front-room, kitchen, and scullery, and on the first floor are three bedrooms. Over the mantel-piece of one of the houses is the following inscription, on a bronze plate:- "These cottages have been erected as a memorial to Major H.H. Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, G.C.B., D.S.O., who died at Pretoria, 1900." At the back of each house is a large piece of railed-in garden. A response of £887 15s. 8d. Was raised in response to a request to raise funds for the memorial cottage homes." (S1,S2).

In a separate newspaper report of 20th April 1904, Colonel Townley (commander of the 12th Regimental District) in handing the keys to H H Princess Christian described the building as "two most beautiful cottages, which he hoped would last for many years …" (S1, S4).

This pair of memorial cottage homes is also one of the examples referred to in Colonel Sir James Gildea's excellent book 'For Remembrance and in Honour of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the South African War 1899-1902', printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode Ltd in 1911 (S1, S5).

Two memorial cottages. Two metal plaques bearing inscription. Regimental arms in stone above front doors (S3).

Photograph of Regimental Cottages, Risbygate Street, c1904 from the Spanton Jarman collection. More details in (S6).