Carter Postcard Collection.
Family Roots F.H.S. (Eastbourne & District), 'Rolls of Honour and War Memorials in Some East Sussex Villages', compiled by L. Medhurst & E. Pitcher (1991), p. 25-26.
Sussex Express, Friday 25 July 1919 (page 4) reported: 'WALDRON WAR MEMORIAL. The Waldron War Memorial Committee have selected a design submitted by Messrs. Burslem and Son, Tunbridge Wells. The memorial will be of Forest of Dean stone and will stand 21 feet high with a Celtic cross at the top. It will be placed on a square base, in the centre of Waldron-street. Seven of the eight panels will bear the names of the fallen men in imperishable lead lettering and the eighth panel will have Rudyard Kipling's words: "Their name liveth for evermore." It is estimated that the memorial will cost £300'.
[ibid, 25th June 1920 (page 3) reported: 'Waldron’s War Memorial is completed, and is a distinct ornament to the centre of Waldron-street. The monument is of Forest of Dean stone, stands about 21 feet high, and is surmounted by a Celtic cross. The base has three octagonal tiers, and above these on the eight panels are the 53 names of the fallen in imperishable leaden letters and painted black. The monument cost £350, and the work of erection was entrusted to Messrs. A. Burslem and Son, monumental masons, of Tunbridge Wells'].
Sussex Express, 30 July 1920 (page 3) printed a lengthy report re the unveiling: '"IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY.” WALDRON WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED. IMPRESSIVE SCENE ON SUNDAY. The parish of Waldron have erected a memorial their over fifty men who fell in the Great War, which is probably second to none in any country village. Standing in the centre of Waldron Street on a 14ft. base, and rising to a height of 21 feet, the memorial is of Forest of Dean stone. Rising from the base is a three-tier plinth, and then the octagonal body upon which on the eight panels are the inscription and the names of the fifty-three fallen in imperishable leaden letters, blacked to show against the dull-coloured stone. From the body rises the octagonal column which is surmounted by a pretty cross. On St. James’ Day (Sunday last) the memorial was unveiled and dedicated in the presence of a concourse of several hundreds of people. Over an hour before the ceremony bereaved people, both adults and little children, were seen bringing and placing on the plinth floral tributes to their loved ones, and at the time of the unveiling these numbered over forty, most them having inscriptions attached, but many without. The ex-Service-men from the Cross-in- Hand and Tilsmore district, numbering about seventy, marched from the Cross-in- Hand Hotel headed by the Heathfield Brass Band (under Mr. C. E. Pettitt) to Waldron Street, and just before reaching the scene of the memorial were joined by a number of Waldron ex-Service men. The Cross-in- Hand men were under the command of Major Twyman, and in front of the band were two Military Medallists (ex-Sergeant, A. Luck and Private Clem Durrant) carrying a huge floral tribute in the shape of a cushion and made with everlasting flowers, worked in the centre being the word "Rest.” This they placed on the plinth. The Waldron ex-.Service men placed on the plinth a floral tribute in the shape of a white anchor, inside a red and blue wreath, whilst the Horeham Road men's tribute was a huge chaplet of victory laurels. THE SERVICE. For some time before the service opened the memorial was surrounded by a firing party of about twenty Royal Engineers from Maresfield Park, who stood with bowed heads and arms reversed. The choir, clergy and churchwardens marched from the church to the memorial singing “Lead, Kindly Light," the brass band playing the accompaniment. The Ven. Archdeacon Hastings (Dr. Upcott) offered prayer and read the lesson (Wisdom iii), and Mrs. Humble-Crofts unveiled the memorial by releasing the Union Jack. The Archdeacon next dedicated the memorial with these words: “In the faith of Jesus Christ who died on the cross we dedicate this Cross to the Glory of God and in memory of these His servants." Then came the most impressive moment, the Rector (the Rev. Preb. W. J. Humble-Crofts) reading the names of those appearing on the memorial, which include two of his own sons. This was followed two trumpeters sounding the “Last Post," three volleys by the firing party, and the sounding of “Reveille." The hymn, “O Valiant Hearts who to your glory came," was sung before further prayers and the address by the Archdeacon...'
'... The service concluded with the singing of the hymn, “On the Resurrection morning," and the pronouncement of the Blessing by the Archdeacon. Both before and after the service the Parish Church bells, which were half muffled for the occasion, were rung'.
[The report included the 53 casualties' names and their military units. Page 4 of the same issue printed a photo of the unveiling].
Sussex Express, Friday 20 February 1948 (page 3) published the notice: 'WALDRON PARISH COUNCIL. WAR MEMORIAL NEXT OF KIN or relatives of deceased members of the Armed Forces who lost lives on active service in the World War, 1939-1945, and were previously resident in the Parish of Waldron, are requested to communicate particulars, full surname Christian names, together with Unit in in which serving, of the deceased (in block. letters) by the earliest possible date to Mr. K. E. Kitchener, Clerk to the Waldron Parish Council, Breezy Mount, Hailsham Road. Heathfield. Arrangements are in hand for additions and alterations to the Waldron 1914-18 War Memorial to commemorate all those from this Parish who fell on active service in the World War, 1939-1945. and it is essential that the Council shall be in possession of complete and accurate information for the record. (Signed) C. J. NEWNHAM, Chairman, Waldron Parish Council'.
War Memorials Trust (WM1725); details of £5,000 Grant made in 2006, to repair foundations. ('The memorial has received multiple grants and the summary details of this record relate to the most recent grant. The memorial’s custodian had noticed it was leaning and it was suspected that there were weak foundations. An initial grant of £4,000 was offered to investigate this matter by removing the steps, seeing what was beneath and strengthening the foundation. However, it was soon realised that more substantial works were required and the whole memorial would have to be taken apart. A further grant of £5,000 was offered for this work...'].
https://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=527
