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June 2020 June 2020

recalls going to the WI hut for a dignified and handsome monument. It will be more than gratifying to the

sewing lessons with Mrs Hall I relations of the Fallen to know that over 300 parishioners have subscribed.”
was about seven or eight and
I worked a sampler and then Finally, the Parish Magazine for January 1920 reported:
we entered them in the flower “The War Memorial, a Cross of Purbeck Stone, standing some fourteen feet high,
show that they used to hold was unveiled by Captain Hon. R.E. Erne-Erle- Drax on the afternoon of Sunday 22
nd
on Court Green.
December. It was a very impressive scene and the ceremony was witnessed by a
This old country traditional skill large attendance. In unveiling the Memorial, Captain Ernle-Erle-Drax laid stress on
has been passed down from the need of remembering the position the England had won for herself during the
generation to generation in War. He then spoke of the men who had laid down their lives for their King and
Sally’s Family from Mrs Hall on Country reminding us that we had no record of those who had left the village in
to her daughter Rosalie, then former centuries to fight under famous leaders but that by means of this memorial
on to her daughter Sally. In the the names of those from Bere Regis who had fallen in the war would be
days of Grannie Hall there would have been no electricity and often the most preserved... those who had given their lives in discharge of their duty had had not
perished forever but had entered into immortality.”
intricate items would have been completed by candle light.
Sally recalled how her mother would do work for Mrs Rene Bere the Vicars wife , Brief details are given on the memorial of their military and naval units, a decision
who also had a craft class running at the now Old Vicarage in this photos you taken when the memorial was first created in 1919 which has proved so helpful to
can see some of the pupils who have made impressive wicker work and a lot are subsequent researchers.
wearing hand stitched smocks.
The memorial is listed as a Grade II listed monument and is described in the listing
as follows:
“A simple cross head and tapering chamfered shaft, probably of Portland stone,
set upon a square plinth. It stands on a base of three steps. The inscription on the
plinth runs around the four sides and reads: `IN GRATEFUL MEMORY / OF THOSE
G P Lewis WHO GAVE THEIR / LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY / 1914-19 (surname and regiment)'.
Those who lost their lives in the Second World War are commemorated on a
Interior/Exterior Painter & Decorator separate stone fixed to the steps on the north side of the memorial. It is inscribed:
`1939-1945 / (surname and regiment).”
All aspects of painting and The reason for listing is given as:
decorating undertaken including “It is a modest but eloquent witness to the impact of tragic world events on this
community. It has group value with the adjoining church which is listed at Grade
Domestic, New builds, Refurbs
I.”
and Commercial.
The memorial is thought to have been designed and made by Haysoms, the
Qualified and with over 30 years Purbeck quarry owners and stonemasons, using stone from the Portland Beds
experience, will offer friendly which outcrop in Purbeck.
advice if needed.
 1st class finish If you require a job done hassle free There are two mysteries connected to the memorial which will be explained in
by an honest, friendly tradesman Part 2 of this article next month.’
 Free written quotes please give Gavin a call on
 Fully insured 01929 471704 or 07977 Phil Ventham 01929 471215
 No job too small or big 047314, Email:

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