"LIDGATE WAR MEMORIAL"
To the eternal memory of the men of LIDGATE who died in the service of their country
Ten in the Great War of 1914-1919 and three in 1939-1945 ( plus one from 1914-1919 and one from 1939-45 not on the memorial)
Lidgate's war memorial is a stone Maltese cross on a square, tapering plinth. The unveiling of the memorial was reported in the Bury Free Press on 15th January 1921, the ceremony
taking place on 9th January 1921. The unveiling was carried out by Lt.Col.A.H.Catchpole, attended by local clergy and dignitaries. The shaft of the cross tapers outwards towards the plinth. The circular centre boss of the cross bears and wreath surrounding the letters 'IHS' which is the Christogram for the first three letters of the Greek for Jesus iota-eta-sigma. This is also sometimes said to stand for Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Saviour of Men) On the curved face of the plinth is the Dedication:- TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF names WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 SONS OF THIS PLACE, LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID THAT YOU WHO LIVE ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT YOU WHO LIVE MAY REAP A RICHER HARVEST ERE YOU FALL ASLEEP |
THe Bury Free Press recorded:- LIDGATE MEMORIAL CROSS - Impressive Unveiling Ceremony: Sunday will for many years be remembered in lIdgate as a most memorable occasion, when the unveiling and dedication of the War Memorial Cross took place. The cross is situated in a conspicuous and beautiful spot in the churchyard, overlooking the village. Theservice in church began with hymn 165 sung as a processional. A short service was conducted by the Rev.E.A.Gray, Rector of Lidgate and Rural Dean of Newmarket......the choir came down the church followed by Lt.Col A.H.Catchpole and his Adjutant (Capt. Leach) he 1st Lidgate Scouts and 1st Lidgate Guides and ex Servicemen and formed a long procession to the MemoriaL Cross in the churchyard....the ceremony was proceeded with and Lt-Col. Catchpole addressed the assembly...the Rector read the names of the fallen..."Last Post" was sounded by two buglers belonging to the Newmarket Scouts....Mr A.H. Hanchett of Bury erected the Memorial Cross. In 2019 the memorial cross was renovated and the names of the three casualties from 1939-1945 were added. The memorial was then re-dedicated on Sunday 3rd November 2019. In addition there is a memorial plaque inside the church to Thomas Catchpole
St. Mary's Church, Lidgate from Newmarket Journal 8th March 2001 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, |