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Kent County Mental Hospital (formerly Oakwood) WWII

The two memorials from the former Kent County Mental Hospital are now in St. Andrew’s parish church in Barming Heath on the outskirts of Maidstone. The World War II memorial (WM3498) is a copper plaque attached to an oak frame with incised white lettering. It is approximately 700mm by 520mm. The World War I memorial is a solid brass plate measuring 120mm by 515mm (WM1997).

In 2002 War Memorials Trust gave £176.25 towards work to clean and restore the memorials.

The inscription on the World War II plaque reads

"These are they who at the call of King
and Country left all that was dear to
them, endured hardness, faced danger and
passed from the sight of men by the path
of duty and self sacrifice, giving up their
lives that others might live in freedom.

George William Ashmole Royal West Kent Regt.
Frederick Clarence Curtis Royal Engineers
Thomas James Hawker Gloucestershire Regt.
Thomas Henry Lovett Royal Air Force

Remember O Lord these thy servants"

These two memorials were formerly in the chapel of St. Saviour at Kent County Mental Hospital, later known as Oakwood Hospital, in Barming Heath. Following transfer of services to Maidstone General Hospital the County Mental Hospital closed in 1994, and was then developed as a residential estate. Subsequently the memorials were found dumped in a field between Sittingbourne and Faversham. After the restoration work the memorials were re-sited in St Andrew’s parish church in Barming Heath and were rededicated on 15th December 2002.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM3498
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 41246

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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