|
|
|
|
Extract from East Anglian Daily Times of Friday 26 October 2001 The last time the Memorial Cross looked so clean and white was at its unveiling on November 28, 1921. The East Anglian Daily Times reported that the vicar, the Rev J Michael Jones, supported by a surpliced choir, first conducted a service for the large crowd which included many from outside as well as in Bentley. Next Colonel C Carnegy, of Stutton, believed to be the vicar's nephew, gave brief and "appropriate address" and then removed the Union Jack covering the base of the Cross to reveal the names of the 16 fallen. The Last Post was sounded and finally relatives of the fallen placed their wreaths around the foot of the cross. Mary Laflin, then a pupil at Bentley School, remembers that the large crowd gathered safely and without interruption in Capel and Church Roads as so few motors cars and horses then passed. The Cross stood originally between two well-established horse chestnuts of which one remains today. The Cross was designed by H Munro Cautley, architect, writer and the greatest connoisseur of East Anglian churches. EE Saunders of Ipswich erected the Cross. | |||
Extract from East Anglian Daily Times of Friday 23 November 2001 After a lapse of several years, a Remembrance service was held at the war memorial. Fifty residents, some too young to have wartime memories, stood in a circle around the memorial to observe two minutes' silence and hear Keith Phillips, chairman of the parish council, read a verse from Binyon's "For the Fallen" as well as the names of the 23 who gave their lives. Afterwards he laid a wreath. Sandra Mehen, licensed reader, said prayers. The memorial's renovation was completed in October when S A Prior created a circular area, studded with pebbles and edged by bricks, around its base. | |||
Visit the Bentley Roll of Honour Pages (External website)
| |||
Update November 2011 | ||
|
||
The 10th Bentley Village Service of Remembrance was held on the 13 November and was once again attended by almost 100 people and at least six children. Residents of Bentley and other villages stood together to honour the fallen of all conflicts. The Service was led by Mrs Sandra Mehen (Licensed Reader) who read prayers for the fallen of all conflicts and asked those present to remember those who gave their lives in the service of their country. The names of those from Bentley who lost their lives during the 1914-18 war were read by Mr Jim Smith and the names of those from the 1939-45 war were read by Mrs Emma Peters, both members of Bentley Comrades. Wreaths were laid by Mrs Peggy Kite on behalf of Bentley Comrades, Mr John Wheals on behalf of the Brantham and East Bergholt Royal British Legion and Mrs Margaret Doolan on behalf of Bentley Parish Council and parishioners. Michael Anderton and Sandra Mehen laid individual crosses. . This was followed by the poignant sounds of the last post resounding around the area followed by 2 minutes silence. After the call of Reveille Mr Michael Anderton read the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph inscription. The service concluded with prayers for the personnel involved in all conflicts, their families and ended with the Lord’s Prayer and prayers for peace. Prior to the service a wreath had been laid by Miss L Adams, whose father fought in the Malaysian Emergency, honouring all those from past, present and future conflicts. Pupils and staff of Bentley CEVCP School had also laid crosses on the 11 November. Report compiled from notes and photograph provided by Keith Phillips | ||
