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St Lawrence Newland

The war memorial at St Lawrence Newland church in Essex is a lychgate with a Sicilian marble commemorative plaque, located at the northwest corner of the churchyard by St Lawrence Hill. The lychgate has a Kentish rag stone base and oak structure. The structure is covered by a pitched terracotta tiled roof with a stone cross finial. The marble plaque, with lead lettering carries the names of those from the parish who were killed, died of wounds, were wounded or who served in World War I.

It is understood that the lychgate was struck by a motor vehicle and was consequentially listing, putting structural pressure on one side of the memorial. The custodians expressed concern that without measures being taken to redress the structural issues, the memorial would continue to deteriorate and might collapse.

Following an initial grant application, War Memorials Trust requested that a structural survey be undertaken by the grant applicant to better understand the problems. This would ensure that remedial works addressed the underlying issues with the memorial. In 2015, following a structural report and an assessment of works needed, a grant of £5,280 was offered through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme, supported by First World War Memorials Programme. The offer supported works to correct the position of the lychgate, repair and, where necessary, replace defective and missing lychgate timbers including the replacement of wooden pegs as well as carrying out localised lime mortar repairs. In addition, the marble plaque was cleaned and repaired with damaged or lost lettering replaced and the ridge repointed with lime mortar. Works were completed in April 2016. The final cost of works was lower than originally estimated as the stone cross was found to be in sound condition and as such the grant payment was reduced accordingly to £5,100.

The memorial was dedicated on 16th September 1922 by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Barking, in the presence of parishioners and neighbouring clergy.

The tablet is the work of Mr J. B. Slythe of Chelmsford and Witham. The construction work was undertaken by Mr T. Hewitt of Bradwell-on-Sea, who reportedly died three days after the dedication of the memorial. The Kentish rag stone, of which the base is constructed, was a gift from Robert Dear, Esq., of East Newlands. Two young oaks were given by Robert Procter, Esq., of the Hall, and Mr E.T. Vicary, of Motts, gave sand and carted shingle. The total cost, exclusive of gifts, was £112.17.6, of which £24.16.0 was donated, £3.15.11 was given in collections and the balance was raised by Mrs Herbert Brown by the sale of blackberries, knitted dresses and rummage.

The inscription reads:

“To the glory of God,
and in honour of the men and women
who joined the colours from this Parish,
in the Great War A.D. 1914-1918.
(Names)
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms wrought
righteousness......waxed valiant in fight, turned to
flight the armies of the aliens." Hebrews XI. 33-34”

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM8968
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 22493

War Memorials Online: 188865

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

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