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The Rushden Argus April 29th 1921, transcribed by Susan Manton
In Undying Memory
Stanwick’s Striking Tribute to her Hero Sons
Great Gathering Witnesses Unveiling of Memorial Cross
Several hundred of people gathers at the south-west corner of St. Lawrence’s Churchyard Stanwick, on Sunday afternoon, when the beautiful memorial cross, erected in memory of the men of the village who, in the war, made the supreme sacrifice, was unveiled and dedicated at a very impressive service.
The Memorial
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The War Memorial
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The cross, which is situated a few yards from the corner of the Churchyard near the Square, is of unusual distinction for a village, and is the result of liberal giving and a praiseworthy spirit of remembrance and sympathy. Standing 14ft. 6 inches high, the erection is composed of three six inch steps of Derbyshire stone standing on a firm foundation of several layers of concrete strengthened with iron girders, surmounted by a square column of Hopton Wood stone, on the west side of which is the inscription
The Great War
1914-1918
Their name shall live for evermore
On the other three sides appear the names of the 36 men of the village who fell in the war. Above this column rises a tall narrow column of Weldon stone, headed by a cross. Messrs. Blackwell and Riddey of Kettering were the designers and the cross was erected during the last week by Messrs. Cox and Co. also of Kettering.
The Parade
About 50 ex-service men of the village paraded on the Square under Ex Serg. Craven, and were inspected by Col. A.S. Pratt C.B., C.M.G. of Broom Hall, Shooter’s Hill, Kent, Lord of the Manor of Stanwick, and eldest son of the late Mr. Spencer Pratt of Stanwick House, and Lt. Col. John Brown D.S.O., T.D.,D.L. of the 4th Batt. Northants Regt. After the inspection the company marched into the church where a brief service was held conducted by the Rector (the Rev. J.B. Dollar) accompanied by the Rev. F.J. Walkey O.B.E., M.C. chaplain of the 4th Northants Regiment. The united choirs of the Parish Church and the Baptist and Wesleyan Churches were present and Mr. E. Wadsworth was at the organ. Behind the ex-service men sat the local troop of Boy Scouts.
The Service
Opening with the hymn “Soldiers who are Christ’s below”, the service continued with prayers and the singing of Psalm 15. Lt. Col. Brown then read the lesson from 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 13-19 which was followed by the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers. The hymn “For all the Saints who from their labours rest” was then sung, during which the clergy, chorus and congregation left the church and proceeded to the site of the cross. As the procession issued out of the church the Band of the 4th Northants, under bandmaster F. Allen, which was in attendance and stood in the churchyard, took up the strains of the hymn and provided the accompaniment.
The Unveiling
Col. Pratt, in a short address said they were there to unveil a memorial to those men who had laid down their lives for their country, their homes and Christianity. Those men, who had diverted a disaster to their country, knew very well what it would have meant if the Germans had taken possession of the land; what it would have meant to their women and children. God had said to Moses “Put off thy shoes for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
In the East it was a mark of great respect to take off one’s shoes. This was done when entering all Eastern Temples and Holy Places, just as in England they took off their hats. Let them remember that when they stood near or passed by the cross they were on holy ground, and that demanded their greatest respect. How was the war won? By all classes sinking their differences and standing shoulder to shoulder and fighting in a common cause. Now during a period of discontent and general unrest they must stand together. They must pull together through the present critical times. Col Pratt then unveiled the memorial cross, with these words “To the glory of God and in proud and thankful remembrance of the men of this parish who fell in the Great War. I unveil this cross in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
The Fallen
The Rector read the names of the fallen inscribed on the cross which read “William Andrews, Edward W. Barker, William S. Bird, James Brawn, Arthur Burton, Enos O. Coles, Cecil Cox, Sidney Cox, John Craven, Thomas Craven, Alfred E. G. Currall, John W. Elliott, Herbert Felce, William R. Felce, Charles W. Foskett, George Foskett, John L. French, Arthur W. Hall, Albert E. Harrison, Edgar Jarvis, Walter Lawman, Jesse Lawman, Edward H. Morris, John G. Morris, Reginald Morris, Frank L. Richards, Edgar F. Robins, Reginald S. Sawford, Thomas G. Tailby, George Thurlow, Robert H. Ward, Horace R. Warner, Sidney W. Warner, George S. Watford, George Webb, William Wells.
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