Carter Postcard Collection
The Lynn Advertiser, Friday, 7 May 1920 (page 2) reported:
'HOLKHAM.
THE WAR MEMORIAL which has been erected by the Earl and Countess of Leicester was dedicated on Sunday afternoon. Occupying the most conspicuous site that could have been chosen, the obelisk is copied on a somewhat reduced scale from that erected in the park by Thomas Coke, the Earl of Leicester who planned and began the erection of the hall, and who died without issue in 1759. The present monument has a four-sided shaft of red Aberdeen granite, decorated at the bottom end with laurel wreaths of bronze. This rests upon a square plinth of rough granite, bearing on its sides bronze panels setting forth the names of the fallen, and this in turn stands upon a base of red granite steps, the whole mounted upon a deep concrete foundation. The names of the fallen soldiers are accompanied by a few additional details, so as to make of them something more than a bald and uninforming record. Thus Lord and Lady Leicester's fallen son is commemorated in the following terms: "Lieut. the Hon. Arthur George Coke, Royal Navy Armoured Cars. Killed at Sedel Bahr, Gallipoli, 2nd May, 1915."
The Bishop of Thetford dedicated the memorial in the presence of a large number of villagers and others. Lord and Lady Leicester were present, and in addition Commander Roger Coke, the Hon. Mrs. Arthur Coke, the Provost of Eton (Dr. James), General W. Cavendish and Mrs. Cavendish, and Mrs, Wellwood Maxwell. The choir from Holkham church led the singing, to the accompaniment of the band from the Watts' Naval Training School.
The Girl Guides and the Boy Scouts had been mobilised, and in the crowd were scores of ex-service men and not a few officers and men in uniform. The hymn, "O God, our help in ages past" was sung. The lesson was taken from the 7th chapter of Revelation, beginning with the words. "After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude." Following the Apostles' Creed came the hymn. "Fight the good fight."
After remarks by the Bishop and the Earl of Leicester, the Union Jack which swathed the obelisk was drawn aside by Lady Leicester, and the hymn "Heroic: departed" was sung by the treble voices of the choir. At the conclusion of the ceremony the "Last Post" was sounded'.
Lynn Advertiser, Tuesday, 10 November 1953 (page 5) reported:
'Addition to Holkham war memorial.
The Earl of Leicester unveiled an addition to the war memorial in the parish church during the Remembrance Day service at Holkham on Sunday morning. The dedication service was performed by the Rev. R. J. Rooke. The addition bears the names of the Hon. David Arthur Coke, brother of the Earl of Leicester, and John Robert Dickerson. Following the unveiling, Lord Leicester laid a wreath on the memorial on behalf of the British Legion and Mr., Frederick Dickerson laid a wreath on behalf of the family.
INSPECTION Prior to the service, Lord Leicester inspected a parade of British Legion and R.A.F. Association representatives headed by the British Legion and R.A.F.A. standards. Mr. L. E. A. Farrow, chairman of Wells branch of the British Legion, was in command. Among the congregation were the Countess of Leicester, Lady Anne Coke, Lady Sylvia Coombe, Lady Robina Coombe, Dr. Hassall and members of the British Red Cross. An address was given by Mr. Rooke and a collection taken for the Earl Haig Fund. DEDICATION. After the service Mr. Rooke dedicated the addition to the village memorial containing the same names as the church memorial which was unveiled by Lord Leicester. Lord Leicester laid a wreath on behalf of the parishioners and Mr. F. Dickerson laid a family wreath. Members of the British Legion and R.A.F.A. paraded in front of the memorial during the ceremony. Many parishioners were also present'.
