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Faversham

This war memorial consists of oak timber panelling located on an internal wall of St Mary of Charity Church in Faversham, Kent. It is dedicated to the 199 men of Faversham who died in World War I, along with a Book of Remembrance, which includes the names of the men which is located in the south chancel chapel of Faversham Church.

In 2009 a grant of £1,008.00 was offered under the Small Grants Scheme for the treatment of the timber which was deteriorating due to a death-watch beetle infestation. High moisture levels in the walls behind the timber panelling had proliferated the infestation, and their evidence could be seen on the surface of the oak memorial.

In order to fully treat the memorial, it was necessary to remove the panelling from the wall and address the damp problems within the church. Once carefully removed, the reverse side of the memorial was treated with deep penetrating preservatives to destroy remnants of the death-watch beetle and the decaying plasterwork behind the memorial was renewed. The memorial itself was found to be in a fair condition, with only minor repair works being required however, unfortunately the Victorian panelling below the war memorial was so badly damaged by wood-boring insects that it was beyond repair. The war memorial panelling was fitted back onto the wall in its original location following its treatment but was affixed to softwood battens to allow for the circulation of air behind the boards in order to prevent the timber from rotting in future.

The memorial was paid for by the Hatch Charity and was dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1922 as a Chapel of Remembrance.

The inscription on the panelling reads:

This chapel was fitted with screens
and panels and the figures
of St George and St Michael
were placed in the Eastern
niches in reverent and
grateful remembrance
of the men of Faversham
who laid down
their lives in
the Great War 1914 - 1918

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM3620
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 41180

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

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