The Museum Store, Clarence Road,
Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3YL
Telephone 01442 879525
Email info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3YL
Telephone 01442 879525
Email info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
THE DEDICATION SERVICE – UNVEILED BY LORD KITCHENER
The dedication ceremony of the Wigginton War Memorial on Sunday last attracted a very large concourse of people, long before the service was timed to commence the church was crowded to its utmost capacity, there was not even standing room, and there was not even standing room, and there was no question of class or creed, all assembled to honour the noble dead.
As was only fitting the service opened with that hymn of hymns, “O God our help in ages past”, then followed the sentences, “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
“I am the resurrection and the life saith the Lord; he that believeth in Me though he were dead yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die”. To a simple chant the congregation and choir sang the 23rd Psalm, then most impressively the Lord Bishop of Lichfield read the lesson appointed from Wisdom III, 1-10.
After prayers the hymn, “Soldiers who are Christ’s below”, was sung, and this was followed by an address from the Bishop of Lichfield, who said he thought the people of Wigginton had done well in choosing a cross as their memorial to the fallen men, as the Cross meant everything to us as Christians.
He had no doubt that there was sadness in the hearts of many who had lost husbands, sons, or fathers, but there was, he hoped, also hope. He said, “People tell us that time heals all things, but they are wrong, the healing comes with the meeting again.
The Cross spoke to us of the joy of Easter as well as the sadness of Good Friday, and those of us who were now bearing the sorrows of parting would one day rejoice in the gladness of meeting. We would always remember the men who had given their lives for their country and for us, and as we looked at the cross of the memorial we would think of the text, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’.”
After the hymn, “How bright those glorious spirits shine” had been sung, the congregation, led by the Bishop, Vicar, and choir walked in slow procession to the memorial.
The choir then took up their station behind the cross, while standing to the left of the cross Lord Kitchener of Khartoum addressed the gathering.
In a few but eloquent words he spoke of those who had fought their last fight, sticking it with that determination that we had expected of them, and had not expected in vain.
He well remembered how in the early days of the war he had spoken to many of these men who had subsequently fallen and he had urged them to “stick it”, and nobly they had since responded.
Lord Kitchener then unveiled the cross and the Bishop dedicated it, afterwards reciting, “Brethren, we are here gathered together to remember before God the men of Wigginton who have given their lives for their country and for us”.
The rain was now falling so fast that the last hymn that was intended to be sung had to be omitted, and following a short prayer the “Last Post”, beautifully sounded by Mr. Lines, rang out in mournful but stirring notes. With the singing of the National Anthem came to end a ceremony that long will be remembered in the village of Wigginton.
Among the many present were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Mare, to whose exertions the memorial owe much, Captain G. I. A. Mare, Sub-Lieut. A. K. Mare, Captain Probert, Captain Moberley (architect of the memorial), Mrs. Kempthorne, Mr. and Mrs. W. Elliott Kitchener, Captain Rivington, Captain Sibley, Miss Chevallier, and many others.
Unfortunately, although it is many months since the memorial was put in hand, the inscription plates were not ready and a temporary inscription had been painted and bordered by laurel leaves by Mr. Copus, and fixed in position.
After the ceremony many lovely wreaths and floral offerings were placed on the cross by the relatives and friends of the fallen heroes.
The inscription on the cross is:-
“To the Abiding Honour of the Men of this Parish who gave their lives for freedom and right in the Great War, 1914 – 1918,”
“Their reward is with the Lord and the care of them is with the Most High.”
Article sourced and transcribed by Pam Gasking: Newsletter Editor, Research & Collections Volunteer, Dacorum Heritage
Source: Berkhamsted Gazette, dated Saturday 8th January 1921. From the Gazette collection, part of the Dacorum Heritage collection, cared for at The Museum Store, Berkhamsted.
