The Hornchurch War Memorial

The Hornchurch War Memorial stands outside the Grade I listed St Andrew’s Church at the top of the High Street.  The hexagonal stone base, beneath a slender column eventually topped by a cross was designed by Sir Charles Nicholson Bt., FRIBA.  It was dedicated by the Bishop of Colchester, Bishop Suffragan on Easter Sunday, 27th March 1921 about 6 months before the Memorial in #Romford.

The base contains plaques with the names of 250 men of #Hornchurch who lost their lives in the Great War 1914-1918; sadly other names have been added after later conflicts.

Hundreds of people gathered for a short service and prayers around the War Memorial.  The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by the 4th Essex Regiment and The Welsh Guards and the vicar of Hornchurch, Rev Charles Steer, read the Roll of Honour from the plaques.

A very long way from home, St Andrew’s graveyard is also the final resting place for 4 Pacific Islanders from #Niue lost in that conflict.