We met on Oxhey Village Green on Sunday 28 September 2014, for the re-dedication of Oxhey Village’s World War One.
The memorial had been part of Oxhey Village for decades. Having been rescued from the former Bushey Baptist Church on Upper Paddock Road, prior to the building’s demolition in 2005, OVEG began fundraising for the installation of the new war memorial on Oxhey Village Green.
The project had been in planning for many years but, poignantly, was completed just in time for our Remembrance Day 2014, which poignantly marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
Rev John Lockley, of Bushey Baptist Church, provided a warm welcome and performed the ceremony service.
OVEG Chair, Ben Atkins, spoke about the pride we can take in our new memorial which, he said, exemplifies the strength of the community we live in. He added that the people of Oxhey Village are still grateful, 100 years on, to those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Ben acknowledged the commitment of Ian Mackay, who not only rescued the memorial from the former Baptist church, but also designed and supervised the project through to conclusion. He also acknowledged OVEG members, who he said should feel proud of their support.
Ben also thanks current and past OVEG committees, and former chairs, especially Andrew Filer, John Drummond and Ruth Blake for their help in keeping the flame of the memorial firmly lit on the local agenda. Ben also expressed his appreciation for a Mayoral Grant, and to Malcom Wright, who came forward to build the memorial, without charge.
Capt. Richard Charnock (retired) recited the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ followed by Jill Ibbott, who then read a moving extract written by her ancestor Arthur Pearson Ibbott, in which he reflected upon the sacrifice of his two sons, Arthur and Bertram, who are both included on the memorial inscription.
Finally, ‘The Last Post’ was performed by Tom O’Neil.
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