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Bourn

Bourn war memorial is situated on a triangle of land formed by the forked junction of High Street with Short Street. It comprises a Celtic wheeled cross and shaft on a tapered plinth that sits on a square base. The front face of the cross and shaft is recessed forming a raised edge. The whole is constructed of Aberdeen granite. The memorial rests on a concrete platform in the centre of a York stone paved surface that is bounded by a stone collar and topped with a low leaf spear-point metal fence, over which is metal chain-link suspended from metal posts at the corners and centre-points. The four faces of the plinth are inscribed with the names of those killed in World Wars I and II.

In 2010, a grant of £125 was provided through the Small Grants Scheme towards re-painting the inscriptions with black enamel paint, with care being exercised to protect the surrounding stonework. This was required as the paint on the inscriptions was fading and making them difficult to read. Additionally, although not included as work within the grant offer, the memorial and surrounds were cleaned and re-pointed with lime mortar.

The architect for this memorial is unknown. Those responsible for construction were; Mr W. Wade (mason), Mr Sidney Gauge (builder) and Messrs MacIntosh (manufacturer). The memorial is believed to have been gifted to Bourn Parish Council by Mr E.J. Clarke in 1919. During a ceremony on 21st November 1920 the memorial was unveiled by Colonel C. T. Heycock. According to the UK National Inventory of War Memorials a vote was used to determine whether the memorial took the form of a cross or bells with 356 voting for a cross and 267 bells.

The front face of the plinth is inscribed:

“Erected
to the glorious memory
of the men of Bourn
who fell in the Great War
1914 – 1918.”

Below this is inscribed:

“1939 – 1945”

Underneath which is inscribed the name of ‘W. Kimpton’, presumably the one man of the village who died in that war.

On the left and right faces of the plinth are inscribed nine and eight names respectively of those who were killed in the First World War.

The rear face of the plinth bears the inscription:

“Pass not this stone in sorrow,
but with pride;
and may you live as nobly
as they died”

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM3994
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 882

Roll of Honour

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

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