Walkern War Memorial

An article in The Hertfordshire Mercury published on Saturday 9 July 1921

“Erected to the Glory of God, and in Loving Memory of the men of this Parish who gave their lives for God and Country.” “Honour and Deepest gratitude to all who fought in the Great War, 1914-1918.” These sentences on the Walkern War Memorial were the keynote of the service – reverence, honour and gratitude – at the unveiling, which took place on Sunday in memory of the 30 men of the parish who gave their lives in the great struggle for freedom, 1914-1918.

The proceedings commenced with a procession of the 1^st Herts Territorial Band under Bandmaster Sergt. Nash, followed by a number of local ex-service men, the choir of the Parish church, and the school children. These formed two sides of a triangle to the memorial, while relatives of the fallen formed the other. The hymn “On the Resurrection Morning” was accompanied by the Band.

The Rector, the Rev WE Mills MA, in his address, reminded his hearers that they were gathered to do honour to the fallen who had died on the Cross of Sacrifice, and that it was right their memorial should be in the form of a Cross as a symbol of the great sacrifice they made; that their memorial was in one of the most lasting forms of stone itself as near imperishable as things could be in this constantly changing world. The men who went, expected, and were promised, a better world, but up to now their expectations had not materialized. If his hearers would register a solemn vow to try and do their best, to give more and expect less, then at least one spot of this England of ours would be better and brighter. 

The Memorial Cross was then unveiled by Miss Cotton-Browne. The “Last Post” was sounded by Bandmaster Sergt. Nash and Sergt-Instructor Carpenter. The Rector then dedicated the memorial in words most impressive. The hymn “When I survey the wondrous Cross” was sung during which a large number of floral tributes were placed on the memorial. 

The Rev TA Pye MA, LLM, read the lesson from Joshua iv, 1-8, 20-24. In the course of a most inspiring address he told those present that life was not a matter of years, but of deeds, that the most wonderful life ever lived, that of Jesus Christ Himself, only lasted 33 years. During that period He uttered the most profound truths and did the noblest actions any man ever has done. The hymn “The Supreme Sacrifice” was then sung, the Rector gave the Blessing, “Reveille” was sounded by the buglers, and the band played the National Anthem. This concluded the service. 

The Memorial is a handsome Cross in Forest of Dean stone, with a bronze wreathe and sword at the top, and reflects great credit on the architect, Captain Wilson of Victoria Street, London, and to the craftsmanship of Mr G Preston of Benington, to whom the work of erecting the Cross was entrusted. 

At the base of the plinth on one side are the two sentences quoted above, while the remaining three sides have the names of the fallen inscribed. The following are the names: 

The Following people were added to Walkern War Memorial after the 1939 – 1945 War

Robin Mills, son of Rev W Eustace Mills, the Rector of St Mary’s who conducted the dedication service for the war memorial, wrote to the Walkern Journal that “Father was always worried about the siting of the War Memorial, he maintained that it should be erected in the churchyard, whereas Georgie Cotton-Browne wanted it nearer Walkern Hall. She was, of course, the most generous supporter of the Church and of the War Memorial project. For the sake of that support Father reluctantly agreed to the position near the mill.”  

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