Welford


Memorial

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ID:WB034
UKNIWM:7786
Location:Welford Rd
OS Map Ref:SU403727
Description:Stone cross
Book:The Welford War Memorial
  Author(s):Bob Chandler
  ISBN:
  Publisher:Welford cum Wickham History Association
  Date:2008
Website:Click
Jump to newspaper report

Inscription:
To the Glory of God / and in grateful memory / of the men of this Parish who gave / their lives in the Great War
1914-1918
W Barrett
Sergt R M Biggs
Lt G H W Blackman
G Brown
A Butler
J W Butler
F Canning
A Dean
H Herbert
W Huntley
F Martin
A Perris
J Pike
C J Pope
F Shepherd
W J Simmons
F Smith
W Tanner
F Thorne
P T Tucker
L Corp F Wells
A W Willis
1939-1945
W Stanford


What the papers said:

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Welford War Memorial – Unveiling, 14 February 1920.


Newbury Weekly News, 19 February 1920


Welford's Memorial


To The Fallen


A Celtic Cross of Cornish granite stands on the roadside halfway between Welford and Wickham, as a memorial to the men of the parish who made the supreme sacrifice on behalf og their King, Country and Fellow Men in the great struggle for freedon during 1914-1918. Nowehere in the district is there a more characteristic bit of English scenery; the rural road running through the park-like pasture, fringed with May bushes, and further down the typical Ann Hathaway cottage. Nothing more powerful can be imagined or desired; but the rugged Celtic Cross will evermore carry the mind of the wayfarer to the brave deeds done on the stricken fields of France and Belgium by simple men who left their houses and their loved ones, giving their lives that England might remain free.


Dignified simplicity was the prevailing note which marked the unveiling on Saturday afternoon, when there gathered together practically the whole of the inhabitants to do honour to the brave. It was certainly not a sad scene. Time, the great healer, had mercifully softened the poignancy of the loss. Rather there was a feeling of pride in their loved one's heroic death. As a preacher recently put it, "they had the thought of the unfading laurels crowning for everf the illustrious brows of the departed." The spring-like weather and the charm of the surroundings semmed in keeping with the tone of the ceremony.

 

The numerous assemblage included the Wickham Girl Guides and the school children. Prior to the unveiling a short service was held. The hymn "Stand up, stand up for Jesus" was sung, and the appropriately selected Collects were read by the Rev R J Burbridge. Psalm CXXX was effectively chanted, and the lesson from Wisdom III was read by the Rev C E Hardy. Then the unveiling ceremony was performed by Major H L Archer-Houblon, with the words:-

     "To the Glory of God and in Memory of the Men of the parish who gave their

     lives for their Country this Memorial is unveiled."

 

The, after the dedication prayers had been read by the Rector, and the hymn "For all the saints" sung, the impressive service concluded with the Blessing. A number of wreaths were laid around the Crosss from the families and friends of those to whom the Memorial had been erected. The base of the Cross bears the names of the fallen as follows:-

     Edward Walter Barrett, Roland M Biggs, George Hugh Willoughby Blackman,

     Gilbert Brown, Albert Butler, Joseph Wallis Butler, Frank Canning, Alfred

     Herbert Dean, Harry Herbert, William Huntley, Frank Martin, Albert Perris,

     J Pike, Cecil Pope, Fred Sheppard, Wilfred James Simmons, Frank Smith,

     William Christopher Tanner, Frank Thorne, Philip Thomas Tucker, Frank Harry

     Wells, Alfred William Willis.


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 Died this day:
28 March 1918
W S Smith
Newbury

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