image: War Memorial renovated 2018 (P Waller)
Surely, the outdoor Remembrance Service traditionally held on the second Sunday in November is by far the most poignant of our regular services. However, never more so than the 11th November 2018, Armistice Day and marked the 100th year anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War. This simple act joins together the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and in later conflicts. Sadly, our own village, together with Thurlaston lost 43 souls and we can only imagine the dreadful impact this had on the community.
For more information on history and photos of the memorial
CLICK HERE
For a list of all Rugby Area Service personnel
killed on duty since the WW1.
CLICK HERE
For WW1 Records information on
Roll Of Honour Soldiers CLICK HERE
BOMBING OF DUNCHURCH 1940
Two civilians tradgically died
For more information re Dunchurch & Thurlaston, Working Men's Club
CLICK HERE
Halifax MZ920 nicknamed 'C the Comet' took off from RAF Croft, Yorkshire but a serious engine fire broke out and the crew tried to divert to RAF Church Lawford. Tragically the blaze destroyed the main spar, resulting in most of one wing breaking off with the Halifax crashing in the parish of Dunchurch at 23:50hrs 14th October 1944, just a mile South of its destination. Two crew managed to bale out , but the remainder were killed in the crash.
For more information on the Halifax bomber crew,
an article by Theo Claassen and memorial service images
CLICK HERE
photo by Theo Claassen
In 2017, Roger Higgerson on the left with fellow memorial founder David George, commissioned a brass plaque, which was hung in St. Peters Church in Dunchurch as a further reminder of the five brave young men that lost their lives fighting for the UK and Europe to keeps its freedom and defeat Nazi Germany. The placing of the plaque in the church also meant that at the next Remembrance Day service at the Dunchurch War Memorial, the names of the five heroes were read and has been since to keep their memory alive .
Four years after the second world war ended, the thatched bus shelter which is considered unique in its form was erected as a war memorial and protected by law as a Grade II listed building.
First proposed in 1945 by the WI, a telegraph pole and a telephone kiosk had to be relocated to accommodate it. Its positioning seems apt, so close to the site of the original Working Mens Club which was bombed
on the night of 19th November 1940 when two men Arthur Mason and Victor Eley so sadly lost their lives.
Donated to the village by the then Chairman of the Parish Council, Alderman Arthur Adkinson,
as a gift. A newspaper report from November 1949 recalls how, ‘for a
long time he had seen people waiting for buses either in the rain or the hot
sun and the shelter would fill a long-felt want. (He said) “I know there has
been a lot of criticism. Some people have said, ‘Are you building something
for courting couples?’ I hope we are”. The structure was built to the rustic design of Mr R G Castle and officially opened on the 14th December 1949 providing welcome shelter for travellers ever since.
More recently, following the disappearance of its original plaque, the local branch of the British Legion considered its reinstatement a worthy project and with the support of the Parish Council, a rededication took
place on Sunday 13th December 2009 to mark its 60th anniversary. The current plaque is set into the pavement, just to the right of the bus shelter.
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Repairing The Thatched Bus Shelter- New footings and base
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Repairing The Thatched Bus Shelter, May 2022
under construction.
The new Thatched Bus Shelter, June 2022 (K Brushett)
The new Thatched Bus Shelter, June 2022 (K Brushett)
The Thatched Bus Shelter- New inner view June 2022 (K Protheroe)
Wreath laying 2021 by Keith Brushett (P Waller)
Wreath Layed 2021(P Waller)
2021 image by P Waller
St. Peter's Memorial Window displaying the fallen soldiers of the Boer War and the Great War of 1914 - 1918
(© WMR-19252)
Three-light stained glass window with a figure in each light. St. Michael, St. George and St. Gabriel. Angels look down upon them from the upper tracery lights. Two-line inscription across base of lights.
The inscription reads:
This window was erected to the Glory of God, and in memory of those whose names are inscribed
on the plaque, who gave their lives in / defence of King & Country in the Boer war & Great war, all formerly pupils of Dunchurch Lodge and Dunchurch Hall between AD1868 & AD1900.
Adjacent to the window is an associated, wall mounted, landscape orientated engraved brass plaque.
Killed in the Boer War.(5 NAMES) / Killed in the Great War. (25 NAMES)
Friends of Dunchurch, a charity formed on 6th September 2018 by like-minded residents who love Dunchurch and its heritage and wish to protect and enhance its environment in order to make the village a better place to live in, work in and visit.
CONTACT US
Email: friendsofdunchurch@gmail.com
Village Green House, The Green, Dunchurch CV22 6NX
