The Parish War Memorial

In the aftermath of the First World War memorials to ‘the Fallen’ were erected in every town and village in the country.  Designs varied immensely, depending on funds available, the sites chosen, and of the needs and desires of the community.  Some memorials were practical, a building that could be used by many such as a village hall, whilst others were purely aesthetic edifices upon which to bestow private grief and memories.

The Parish War Memorial, in Redditch town centre by St. Stephen’s Church, is of a traditional design – simple granite cross with a long shaft stood upon a large square plinth upon three sides of which are inscribed the names of men and boys of the parish ‘who won the glory of the life laid down in the Great War 1914-18’.  The fourth side of the plinth carries a base relief of a dead soldier lying at the feet of Christ on the Cross.

The Service of Dedication took place at 3.30pm on Sunday 2ndApril 1922.  The memorial was unveiled by Viscount Windsor of Hewell Grange and dedicated by the Archdeacon of Worcester.  The names of the dead of the Second World War were later added to the base.  Newly inscribed panels have been installed in recent years to replace the original incised lettering which had become illegible.