North Shields Town Square naming

When: August 2023

Number of responses: 4,247

In 2023 North Tyneside Council asked people to be part of history and help name a town square by voting on a name for North Shields' new Town Square from a shortlist of four significant local figures, with the new new name revealed at a special unveiling ceremony.

It has been named in honour of World War II hero Thomas Brown, the George Medal recipient who retrieved the Enigma codes at sea. Thomas Brown took more than half the votes: 2,149 out of 4,247.

The naming event, on Friday 15 March 2024, was attended by more than 30 of Thomas Brown’s descendants and featured live music from a 1940s-style jazz band.

A stone memorial to Thomas, commissioned by his family, has been installed in the square and was unveiled by Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Dame Norma Redfearn DBE.

It bears a graphic image of Thomas based on an original by artist Marcus Reed, with the family overseeing the design. This is etched on to granite in colour and set into a large monolith of sandstone. It stands at a height of 6ft 6ins.

The inscription reads: “A memorial to Thomas Brown GM. A North Shields boy who helped shorten World War II by capturing vital Enigma code books from a sinking German U-boat.

“Two of Thomas’ shipmates drowned in the operation carried out from HMS Petard during October 1942 in the Mediterranean.

“Thomas was awarded the George Medal but died before he could receive it. The medal was presented to his mother by King George VI in 1945.”

Thomas died on 13 February 1945 while waiting to receive his George Medal, which is now display in the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

The other nominees for the public vote have been remembered in different ways around North Shields. Ellen Lee, the heroic ARP warden who saved more than 30 lives during the bombing of Wilkinson’s Lemonade Factory in 1941 has been honoured with a blue plaque. It was unveiled on Wednesday 8 March 2023, International Women’s Day, at the site of the former factory on George Street.

Civil rights campaigner Charles Minto has been remembered with a blue plaque at 3 Northumberland Place. Now Pattinson Estate Agents, the building was formerly Colonial House, a hostel and community centre that Charles was instrumental in founding.

Mary Ann Macham escaped slavery in Virginia, settled in North Shields, and became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement. A sculpture of her by artist Keith Barrett will be installed on the Riverside Embankment Walkway linking North Shields town centre with the Fish Quay, as part of the North Shields Public Artworks programme.

When: August 2023

Number of responses: 4,247

In 2023 North Tyneside Council asked people to be part of history and help name a town square by voting on a name for North Shields' new Town Square from a shortlist of four significant local figures, with the new new name revealed at a special unveiling ceremony.

It has been named in honour of World War II hero Thomas Brown, the George Medal recipient who retrieved the Enigma codes at sea. Thomas Brown took more than half the votes: 2,149 out of 4,247.

The naming event, on Friday 15 March 2024, was attended by more than 30 of Thomas Brown’s descendants and featured live music from a 1940s-style jazz band.

A stone memorial to Thomas, commissioned by his family, has been installed in the square and was unveiled by Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Dame Norma Redfearn DBE.

It bears a graphic image of Thomas based on an original by artist Marcus Reed, with the family overseeing the design. This is etched on to granite in colour and set into a large monolith of sandstone. It stands at a height of 6ft 6ins.

The inscription reads: “A memorial to Thomas Brown GM. A North Shields boy who helped shorten World War II by capturing vital Enigma code books from a sinking German U-boat.

“Two of Thomas’ shipmates drowned in the operation carried out from HMS Petard during October 1942 in the Mediterranean.

“Thomas was awarded the George Medal but died before he could receive it. The medal was presented to his mother by King George VI in 1945.”

Thomas died on 13 February 1945 while waiting to receive his George Medal, which is now display in the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

The other nominees for the public vote have been remembered in different ways around North Shields. Ellen Lee, the heroic ARP warden who saved more than 30 lives during the bombing of Wilkinson’s Lemonade Factory in 1941 has been honoured with a blue plaque. It was unveiled on Wednesday 8 March 2023, International Women’s Day, at the site of the former factory on George Street.

Civil rights campaigner Charles Minto has been remembered with a blue plaque at 3 Northumberland Place. Now Pattinson Estate Agents, the building was formerly Colonial House, a hostel and community centre that Charles was instrumental in founding.

Mary Ann Macham escaped slavery in Virginia, settled in North Shields, and became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement. A sculpture of her by artist Keith Barrett will be installed on the Riverside Embankment Walkway linking North Shields town centre with the Fish Quay, as part of the North Shields Public Artworks programme.