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Memorial Cross unveiled at Podington
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In undying Remembrance
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The scene was the village churchyard where, around a simple stone memorial which the villagers have erected to the memory of their gallant sailors and soldiers, some hundreds of men, women and children stood to participate in a plain, yet touching, ceremony. On one side were the relatives of the fallen; near by stood a cluster of ex-Service men; in front of the porch were the united choirs of the village; and a fourth group consisted of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. A service in the church had just concluded. The strains of the organ came through the open doorway of the church and, led by them, the congregation sang the time honoured hymn “O God our help in ages past”. Then, stepping forward, Colonel Jarvis removed the union Jack which had covered the cross. Tribute to the Fallen “I unveil this memorial to the Glory of God, and the everlasting glory of those brave men who died.” They were there, continued the colonel to honour the memory of brave men, who died for King and Country, and in dying, had surely found life. Those men died that the country might be freed from the danger of the greatest tyranny the world had ever known. Those remaining behind must see that so great a sacrifice now as it did during the war. He did not think that memorial before them was either the first of the chief War Memorial that had been erected in the parish. He believed that their first War Memorial was the Church itself, which was erected by Stephen de la Leye, who lived at what was now the Manor Farm, as a memorial of the second Crusade. Podington men went forth to fight that crusade, and at the conclusion Stephen, or his son, handed over that property as a War Memorial, in thankfulness for his safe return. It was a wonderful link between that generation and this. Stephen de la Leye and his family were buried underneath the porch. It was wonderful to think that in this was the veryThe Dedication After these addresses the Cross was dedicated by the Vicar (the Rev. W. Kitchin). Then the onlookers sang “Peace perfect peace.”During this hymn those who had brought floral tributes stepped forward and placed them at the base of the Cross. Col. Orlebar and Capt. Richard Orlebar were the first to do this, and many others, including several children who brought sprays in memory of departed fathers and brothers, followed their example. It was noticed that Lieu.Col. Jarvis placed a bunch of violets at the foot of the memorial. Following the benediction, the “Last Post” was impressively sounded by Mr. W.E. Chubb, D.C.I.I. (Higham Ferrers). The singing of the National Anthem concluded a memorable ceremony. |
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