"CLARE WAR MEMORIALS"
To the eternal memory of the men of CLARE who died in the service of their country
card: courtesy of Clare Museum photo courtesy of Simon Knott www.suffolkchurches.co.uk They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
One in the Boer War, Thirty Two in the Great War of 1914-1919 and Five in 1939-1945 and one man from 1939-1945 not on the memorial
The memorial was unveiled by Colonel, Sir Courtenay Warner Bart., and dedicated by Canon W.T.Farmilae on 23rd October 1921. Rededicated in
1948, in 2010 a grant was given by the War Memorial Trust of £2,945 towards the total cost of £5,897 for repairs and renovation
of the memorial.
The memorial was built by F.J.Lindley of Sudbury. The unveiling ceremony was reported in the Suffolk & Essex Free Press of 26th October 1921, as follows:-
CLARE'S TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD HEROES - An Ornate Memorial in the Market Place -
In respect of the spirit in which the inhabitants of this ancient town have commemorated their fallen sons, and the tangible form they have given to it.Clare will certainly bear comparison with many larger and more important centre in the Eastern Counties. The memorial, which was unveiled on Sunday by the Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Courtenay T.Warner is certainly elegant in design, and while in harmony with the surroundings, will, in the days to come, remain a conspicuous reminder of the Great War, and of those who laid down their lives in the cause of freedom and justice. The cross, of fine properties and with elaborate ornamentation both at the base and the summit, stands in the Market PLace, in a picturesque setting as regards the ancient houses, and is of Clipsham stone. it is some 19 feet in height. Four panels bear the Arms of Clare, of the Suffolk Regiment and of St Edmund and St.George. The inscription,"In grateful memory of the men of Clare who ell in the Great War, 1914-1918. They died for freedom and honour", which runs round the base, is in Old English lettering set off by dark flints, and is in effective contrast. The flints were taken from Lady May's estate in Clare.
The fiollowiog names of the departed are engraved on a prominent part of the memorial: Fred Bareham, Herbert A.Bareham, Percy A.Bareham, Victor Bareham, William Bareham, Donald W Buck, Walter Byford, Colin Campbell, Duncan Campbell, Joseph J.Dare, James Dearsley, Frederick Dyson, William Dyson, Herbert French, William C.Ghyrn, Freddy Ince, John C.Ince, William Ince, Bertie Jarvis, Alfred Levell, Fred martin, Harry Martin, William Martin, Bennett G.Maxim, John Meekings, William G.Mizon, Henry T.Parker, George Parsonson, Herbert Pask, George Smith, Robert Willis and E Stanley Wright.
.....following the singing of the hymn"O Valiant Hearts", a sermon was preached by the Rev.W.T. Farmiloe, (Ven. Archdeacon of Sudbury). The Archdeacon selected the words "Lest ye forget (Deut iv,23) for his discourse.......
In many places the minds of the populace have been considerably divided as to the form their memorials should take.No such difficulty has been experienced in Clare, for here the patriotic and public spirited efforts have resulted in liquidating a debt of £439 on the Town Hall, the erection of the memorial unveiled on Sunday, and a movement to secure a public recreation room, which proposal is maturing and will form the subject of a further celebration......
The square now being used as a car park makes it almost impossible to get a good clear photo of the monument,and also the stone is very
dark, which does not help read the names.The monument was extensively renovated around 2013, much stone work being restored and the names
re-painted in black.
There is also a framed Roll of Honour covering both World Wars on the North wall of the nave the parish church of St Peter and St Paul
The stained glass window to the right of this roll of honour is also a memorial to the war dead. In a glass case under the roll of honour
is a book listing all those from Clare who served.
unfortunately the screen makes it impossible to get a photograph for James Dunn and Leslie Dyson
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.