Redditch's war dead remembered as memorial cross re-dedicated - The Redditch Standard

Redditch's war dead remembered as memorial cross re-dedicated

Redditch Editorial 5th Apr, 2022   0

THE memorial cross outside St Stephen’s Church in Redditch was re-dedicated on Saturday, April 2, in a special ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of its first unveiling.

The date was also the 40th anniversary of the Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands.

The cross, bearing the names of all those from Redditch who died in the service of their country from the First World War, was originally made by the Bromsgrove Guild, and was first dedicated on April 2, 1922.

One who the men who organised that event was Kenneth Jarvis, who served in the Great War and it was fitting that his son, Philip, president of the Redditch branch of the Royal British Legion, organised the re-dedication 100 years later.




“It’s quite poignant to think of my father back then and to reflect on what he was doing 100 years ago,” said Philip, who’s namesake uncle, Kenneth’s brother Philip, died fighting for King and Country in 1917.

Before leading figures of the town and onlookers the re-dedication service was led by Canon Rev Paul Lawlor, vicar of St Stephen’s and town centre chaplain.


He said: “For 100 years this has been a place where we have gathered.

“Around this space the town has changed, and changed again. The world, this nation, this community has changed.

“Memorials such as this, hold us. They are things of permanence in a changing world.

“But let this memorial not simply be about the past but may it, and the lost lives recorded here, cause us to think and act differently in the now and in the future.”

After the ceremony Jeff Farnes, chairman of the Redditch branch of the Royal British Legion said: “It’s important to remember all those people who died in the First World War and in subsequent wars so that we today can live in freedom.

“And obviously we can see today, right on our doorsteps, the impact of war happening now in Europe at the moment.”

Councillor Ann Isherwood, the borough’s deputy mayor added: “I know there is a proud history here in Redditch.

“We have to remember all those people who went before us and whose sacrifices gave us the freedoms we enjoy today.”

THE Redditch branch of the Royal British Legion is appealing for information on any member of the services who died in the Falklands War.

The memorial cross carries the names of Redditch residents who were killed fighting for their country in the Fist and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts – but has no name from anyone from the town who might have died in the 1982 war.

This may well be because all Redditch soldiers returned safely home, but if not Redditch RBL can be contacted on Facebook.

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