This article was written by Ted Parrish and originally published by Oxhey Village Environment Group in May 1994. The author’s words are unedited from the origination version.
We would be interested to see images that show the site on Watford Hear prior to construction, the making of the cross, or photos from the dedication service. If you can help, please contact publicity@oveg.org.
At least some of the success of the Parade and Service of Dedication, on Sunday 8th May, must be attributed to the good weather which brought blue skies and sunshine, in complete contrast to the continuous rain of Saturday.
The support given by members (and non-members for that matter) was, most welcome and many of you will have attended the Service. We are particularly indebted to the Rev. John Orme, Vicar of Oxhey and the Hon. Queen’s Chaplain, the Rev. Stuart Hynd of St. John’s Church, Northwood, for the moving way in which they made the Service, Dedication and address so appropriate to the occasion. We thank, too, all subscribers to the appeal who made fulfilment of the project possible, and all those who contributed to the building and completion of the Memorial Cross.
Wreaths were laid by the South Oxhey Squadron of the ATC, the Watford and District Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association and, of course, the Group in the presence of the ATC., the Army Cadet Force and the Watford Sea Cadets, whose band headed the Parade. The Royal British Legion was represented by Bushey and North Bushey branches, including the Women’s Section, as well as the British Korean Veterans’ Association.
In view of the congratulatory comments made in regard to the Cross, it is appropriate to name all those directly involved in its creation:
Ian Mackay, C.Eng., M.I.C.E, designed the Memorial Cross
Stephen Cook was commissioned to build the structure.
Brent Timber of London Road, Bushey supplied the green oak and cut and planed the wood to specification. Brent also gave Stephen facilities at the wood yard to make the Cross in situ.
Richard Hosier provided further assistance in bringing the Cross to Watford Heath and, the guidance of Stephen, neatly dropped the Cross into the prepared base.
P. Brant and Sons, of Bushey, inscribed and supplied the memorial tablet.
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Luto, of Chalk Hill, kindly donated the brass plaque, attributing the restoration of the Cross on Watford Heath to OVEG with the date of Dedication.
Mark Curtis, Stephen’s assistant throughout the building work, must not be forgotten either.
The Town Hall declined to tidy the plantation site, and a small, working party was quickly formed by Ted Parrish to do the necessary work. As the grass was long and it had not been cut by Friday afternoon, an appeal was made to the Parks Department to please cut the grass. The message was conveyed, in person, by Councillor Geoffrey Greenstreet, to the appropriate authority. So all was well that ended well!
There were, of course, many others involved who played their part to complete the Group’s third (and biggest) project. To everyone even remotely connected with the Parade and Service who has not been mentioned here our apologies and our thanks.
However, we must single out Michael Rolfe of the Salvation Army who kindly played LAST POST and REVEILLE, and Terry Maggin, the piper who played the lament. Terry is a member of the Glen-Trew Pipe Band.
And, almost lastly, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Smith who sustained, with cups of tea, our many helpers and guests, including Tristan Garel-Jones MP, Mayoress Mrs. Kay Horsfield and local councillors. Next door, Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Harris supplied both help and electricity to Duncan Nunn, whose impeccable sound system played the music of member, Stuart Highley, recorded by Barry Saunders.
Finally, we thank Inspector Paul Mutum for arranging the route taken by the Parade and providing the many police involved to control the traffic and Warrant Officer Brian Green who acted as Parade Marshal for the occasion.
If you have not visited the Memorial Cross since the service, a vase holding flowers has already been placed at the base. We have provided a necessary focal point to Watford Heath and, perhaps something of greater significance to the Heath than just a new memorial cross.
A footnote on the original version of this article stated: “This report was prepared by Ted Parrish so needless to say he has not mentioned that thanks should also go to him for the enormous amount of work he put in to organise this project and the appeal fund, so well, ably assisted by his wife, Peggy.”
More information on the Watford Heath cross is available on the Imperial War Museum’s War Memorials Register.
You must be logged in to post a comment.