TIBENHAM WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and Copyright © Martin Edwards 2019

The memorial stands in All Saints’ churchyard, Church Road, Tibenham, near the entrance porch and was originally purchased by public subscription. It takes the form of a stone cross, with a sword of sacrifice on the front face, standing on an octagonal three-tier plinth, the whole rsing on a square concrete base. There are names listed for both World War 1 and 2. This transcription has been built from several sources as we have had no direct transcription of the memorial and the inscriptions thereon. There are 23 names for World War 1 and 3 names for World War 2.

Extract from Diss Express - Friday 16 April 1920, page 8:

TIBENHAM.
DEDICATION MEMORIAL CROSS.

The Rev. Canon Pelham, of Norwich, visited Tibenham on Sunday afternoon for the purpose of dedicating a Memorial Cross to the Glory of God and in honour of Tibenham men who fell in the great war. Tibenham, which is a very scattered parish, has a population of 545, and of this number upwards 80 served with the forces, and 23 made the supreme sacrifice. The memorial in their honour has taken the form of a Sicilian marble octagonal cross, erected on a 12 in. Portland stone base, the total height being 10 feet. The design includes an inlaid metal cross. There is solid concrete foundation, and the following inscription and names of the fallen are in indelible lead lettering: "These were our children who died for our homes; they were dear In our sight.—Sergt. Ronald Skinner, Corpl. Noah Fisher, Corpl. Bertie Turner, Lance-Corpl. James Gooch, Lance-Corpl. Clarence Gooch, Lance-Corpl. Ernest Keeley, Pvt. Frank Birch, Pvt. William Cooper, Pvt. Jack Cooper, Gunner Lewis Cooper, Pvt. Frank Elvin, Pvt. Barry Everett, Pvt. Charles Knights, Pvt. George R. Knights, Pvt. Harry Knights, Pvt. Spencer Keeley, Pvt. Walter Peake, Pvt. Harry Seager, Pvt. Bertie Seager, Pvt. George Snelllng, Pvt. Horace Trudgill, Pvt. Walter Woods, Pvt. A. E. Wilson.” A singularly pathetic interest is attached to these names. The first, Sergt. Skinner, was the son of the Vicar of Tibenham, Prtes. Charles Knights, George R. Knights, and Harry Knights were three brothers, and the only sons in the family, Prtes. William Cooper and Jack Cooper were brothers, as were also Lance-Corpls. James Gooch and Clarence Gooch, and Lance-Corpi. Ernest Keeley and Prte. Spencer Keeley. The cross was executed and erected by Mr. R. F. Perfitt, of Diss, whose work has given unqualified satisfaction.

A large congregation assembled for the dedication service, the parents and relatives of the deceased being well represented; those present also included a numerous company of the deceased's comrades, together with parishioners, and inhabitants of adjacent villages. Prior to the service, a peal, with the bells partially muffled, was rung by the local company, assisted by campanologists from Thetford. Mr. W. Burdett, who presided at the organ, played “O Rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn) as the congregation was assembling. A shortened form of Evening Prayer, with special Collect and prayers was read by the Vicar (the Rev. F. W. Skinner). The hymns included “Ten thousand times ten thousand," “Through the night of doubt and sorrow," and “For all the saints." The special Psalms were xxiii. and cxxi., and the special lesson taken from Rev. xxi. 1-7, was read by the Rev. Canon Pelham, who subsequently delivered an appropriate address from II. Corinthians xv. 58th verse (part of) “Your labour (your life) shall not be in vain in the Lord.” The Vicar afterwards read a list of the men who had fallen, and the organist effectively played the “Dead March" in “Saul.” Subsequently a procession, led by the clergy, the churchwardens (Mr. J. M. Self and Mr. Herbert Betts), followed by the relatives of the departed, their comrades, and the congregation, left the church, and proceeded to the memorial cross, which was unveiled by Mr. H. Betts, of Channonz Hall, and was dedicated by Canon Pelham in the following sentence: “In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we dedicate this Memorial to the Glory of God in memory of those who have fallen in the Great War. May their example inspire us to courage in the greater war against all evil: May their memory ever burn brightly in those who here and elsewhere remember their deeds, and, strengthened by their fellowship, look forward to reunion with them in the inheritance of the saints in light." Dedicatory prayers followed, and the pronouncement of the Benediction brought to a close a most solemn, reverent, and impressive service.

The bereaved parents and relatives, as they filed past the cross, deposited wreaths and bunches of flowers at the base, and a beautiful artificial wreath, in glass case, was contributed by ex-Service men. A short peal with the bells unmuffled was afterwards rung.

It was hoped that the minister of the Primitive Methodist circuit, of which there is a chapel in the village, might have taken part in the service, but this could not be arranged, Mr. Dennis Trudgill (a local preacher) and Mrs. Trudgill represented that denomination at the service. The collection, which was for the Blinded Soldiers (St. Dunstan's) Fund, amounted to £5.

The cost of the memorial cross is about £100, and all the money subscribed has come from the parishioners of Tibenham.

THESE WERE OUR CHILDREN WHO DIED FOR OUR HOMES; THEY WERE DEAR IN OUR SIGHT

Last updated 11 August, 2019