Restoration of the War Memorial at St Mary’s RC Church, Axminster
Work on the restoration of the WW1 War memorial at St Mary’s RC Church, Axminster has now been completed!
“ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM MAY THEY REST IN PEACE”
The fully restored memorial is back in its rightful place, by the entrance path to the Church.
The original was put in place in 1919 soon after the end of the First World War. It has two panels, the left hand side inscribed:-
The right hand panel is inscribed:-
“IN MEMORY OF OUR SAILORS AND SOLDIERS WHO HAVE FALLEN IN THE GREAT WAR FIGHTING FOR KING COUNTRY AND HOME”
The lower section of the Cross is carved with the dates “1914 – 1918” underneath which there is a later addition of “1939 – 1945” to include those who fell in the Second World War.
The oak section, known as a Calvary, has undergone complete cleansing, filling of the large cracks in the Cross, replacement of rotted wood , provision of new oak tiles to the roof, re-inscribing and gilding of the lettering with overall treatment with preservation. In addition, the base has been rotated through 90 degrees so as to face towards Lyme Road, making this more visible to passers by.
The finished project has been faithful to the original intention, to have a fitting memorial to those who paid the price for our freedom and also to create a space where people can easily stop, reflect and pay their respects.
Our grateful thanks go to Richard Salt for overseeing the project, Daniel Stewart for completing the restoration, Andrzej Michalik, Architect, and NDM Commercial Construction.
The cost of the restoration work to the Calvary and the work to the base, the pillar and surfaces has cost in excess of £20,000, with a portion being met through grants which have been applied for and the balance through Parish funds and fundraising.
The parish is grateful for grants awarded from the War Memorials Trust (£3,970), and the Benefact Trust (£2100). We are grateful for these generous contributions.
Here are some pictures of the installation.
The Memorial has been registered as a War Memorial on the website: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/294164 where there are photographs and a description.
Here you can read the transcript, of the report which was in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette dated 30th May 1919, of the Dedication ceremony on the 29th May 1919.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 30 May 1919
Rededication ceremony 15th July 2024
A rededication ceremony of the War memorial took place on 15 July.
The 2024 ceremony was presided over by Fr Jacek Kostuch, with address by Richard Salt. Wreaths were laid in memory by the Town Mayor, Cllr. Jill Farrow, Mr Peter Slimon (Chairman of the Royal British Legion Axminster Branch) and pupils representing each class of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
The pupils also joined in singing hymns, to reflect the involvement of the primary school children who sang at the dedication of the memorial over 105 years ago.
View the rededication ceremony souvenir leaflet here.
The Parish would like to record past parishioners of Axminster, Lyme Regis & Seaton who gave their lives in conflicts at any dates and if you are able to supply details, please send them to the Parish Secretary.
Here are some picture of the memorial before restoration.
