UPPER GRAVENHURST WAR MEMORIALS World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information Compiled and copyright © 2002 Lynda Smith

The village memorial stands in front of the St Giles Church, in the centre of the village. It takes the form of a red-granite, stepped plinth surmounted by a Latin cross and the whole isset on a stone base. The inscription and names are on the south face in black lettering. There are names for World War 1 and two names fotr World War 2. The memorial was unveiled by Mr J.H. Staddon J.P. of Luton and dedicated by Vicar of Gravenhurst 21 April 1920. Inside the church is a further memorial. See also Lower Gravenhurst.

Photographs Copyright © Maria Edwards 2024 Village Memorial

Extract from The Luton News & Bedfordshire Advertiser – Thursday, 22 April 1920, page 7:

GRAVENHURST WAR
MEMORIAL,

UNVEILING BY ALD. J. H. STADDON
YESTERDAY.

The quaint little church and churchyard of Upper Gravenhurst, perched on the summit of an eminence overlooking a wide expanse of country, was the scone yesterday of a touching ceremony--a ceremony typical of many taking place up and down the country every day.

It was the unveiling and dedication of a handsome monument which the villagers had erected to nine men of their small community who went to the War and never returned.

Standing where it can be seen by all who pass, even so that all who run may read its message of sacrifice, the memorial is of red Aberdeen granite, in form that which is described as a classic pedestal, and surmounted by a cross. In all, it is over 8ft. high, and cost £111 3s. 6d. So that a perfect view of it might not be obstructed, even by the smallest child, the brick wall facing the site was taken down, and Its place taken by a railing. This additional work brought the total cost to £136 15s. 2d.

The villagers and friends raised £113 6s. 7d. through the instrumentality of a committee under the chairmanship of the Rector, Rev. H. J. Baylis, while a further £15 15s. came from a collection and donations in connection with the ceremony, so that very little debt is outstanding.

Twenty-four men went from the village to serve in the War, and the memorial records the names of the nine who fell. These were: E. E. A. CoIlisson, W. Fisher, W. S. Jordan, L. G. Miller, C. Redman, S. T. Redman, W. Redman, G. Smith, and F. W. Turner. Above their names appears the inscription: “To the glory of God and in memory of parishioners fallen in the Great War, 1914-18." Below are the words: "Their name liveth for evermore."

All the arrangements for the erection of the monument were made by a committee consisting of the Rev. H. J. Baylis (Chair man), Mr. F. Anderson (Secretary), Mr. F. George (Treasurer), Mr. George. Anderson, Mr. John Smith, Mr. Thomas Parrish, Mrs. Reuben Parrish, Mrs. R. George, and Miss N. Collins; while the actual constructional work was undertaken by Messrs. Peacock & Son, of Shefford.

A large number of people attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony, among those present being Alderman J. H. Staddon (Luton), Councillor J. H. Webb and Miss Webb (Luton). Mr. and Mrs. J. Simpkins (Shillington), Mrs. Henscombe (Pirton Hall), Mr. Hugh George, Mr. F. Biggs, and Miss Field (Fielden), besides the members of the committee and relatives of the fallen men.

A solemn service in the church, jointly taken by the Rector and the Rev. H. Graham Payn, Superintendent Minister of Luton Wailer-street Wesleyan Circuit, preceded the unveiling. As the people assembled, the organist, Miss Smith, of Shillington, played suitable music. The service opened with a hymn, "For all the saints," which was followed by Psalm xlvi.; the reading of Rev. vii., 9 to end, by the Rev. H. G. Payn; prayers for the sufferers in the war, or com mendation of the fallen, of dedication, and for unity and concord; sentences of thanks-giving; and the hymn, "Oft in danger."

In the churchyard the congregation formed a compact circle round the memorial, the school children being given a position in front.

With the words: "In the name of the parishioners of Gravenhurst, I unveil this memorial. May it ever remain sacred to the memory of the men whose names arc inscribed thereon," Alderman Staddon pulled a cord and the Union Jack fell from the memorial. This was the signal for a moving scene, and immediately several people stepped forward and laid floral tributes of honour at the foot of the cross. The inscrip tions borne by these ran:

“In loving and grateful memory of the bravo fellows, of Gravenhurst, from the Rector, Churchwardens and Choir of the Parish Church. ‘Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let light perpetually shine upon them. Amen.'"
"With deepest sympathy and loving remembrance, from the Gravenhurst Wesleyan Society."
Others bearing identical words were from Gravenhurst Wesleyan Choir, Gravenhurst Wesleyan Sunday School Teachers, Gravenhurst Wesleyan Sunday School Scholars.
"Remembrance, Nance Madge,"
"In memory of the dear boys, with deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. R. Parrish."
"In grateful remembrance from Mrs. Hanscombe and family, Pirton Hall."
"In ever loving memory of our heroic 'Old Boys,' from the teachers and scholars of Gravenhurst School."

ALDERMAN STADDON'S ADDRESS.

In the course of a fine address to the assembly, Alderman Staddon thanked the Rector and those associated with him for giving him the opportunity of performing the ceremony. It was the first of its kind he had attended, and it would never be forgotten by him. There was one serious regret he had, and that was that the sacrifices which these men had made had not yet brought peace to the nations of the world. On behalf of him self and those present ho would extend sincere sympathy to the friends and those more closely related to the men whose names were inscribed on the monument. The people at home went through five years of serious trouble and anxiety, but nothing to equal the sacrifice and anxieties of those who faced battle at the front; and one could wish that that memorial and all those which were being erected all through the country would be the last of their kind.

Alderman Staddon concluded by expressing the hope that the memorial would not be forgotten, and suggesting that on April 21st each year, the children of the village should subscribe a penny each, and lay at the foot of the monument a wreath in honour of the men who had fallen, so that their memory might be kept green from now onwards.

The hymn, "O God, our help," prayer by the Rev H. Graham Payn, and the Blessing pronounced by the Rector, concluded the ceremony.

TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND
IN MEMORY OF PARISHIONERS
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 18
THEIR NAME LIVETH
FOR EVERMORE

Photograph Copyright © Lynda Smith 2002

Church Memorial

Wooden Memorial with the following on a brass plate at the base

Made from timber removed
From HMS Britannia
Cadet Training Ship at
Dartmouth 1869 - 1905

PARISHES
OF
ST MARY & ST GILES, GRAVENHURST
FOR GOD, KING AND COUNTRY
FALLEN IN THE
EUROPEAN WAR
1914 - 1918
1939 – 1945

* Denotes appears on Village Memorial
† Denotes appears on Church Memorial

Last updated 21 August, 2024