Stinchcombe War Memorial

The war memorial in Stinchcombe is the focal point of what could be described as the centre of the small village, at the centre of the three-way junction between Echo and Wick Lanes, in front of the church. Despite the prominence of its location, it is a noticeably narrow and small obelisk, with all of the names listed on one plaque. I have passed this memorial many times, but had never before stopped to look at it in detail.

When I did, I was surprised to see that there were 22 names of men who died in the First World War. In 1911 the village of Stinchcombe had a population of just 322, less than half that of North Nibley who suffered two fewer losses. These losses would have undoubtedly had a profound impact on those living in the village in the years after 1918, with approximately 14% of the village's male population lost.

The view of the memorial from in front of the church. You can just make out the red memorial wreath which covers the memorial plaque bearing the names of the fallen. 

A close-up of the front of the memorial. Carved above the plaque is "C Attwood" (although the initial could be a G). This could either be the Charles Attwood commemorated on the memorial or the sponsor of the memorial, who would be likely to be a relation of one (or both) of the Attwoods on the plaque.

The memorial plaque. This appears to be newer than the obelisk itself, likely because it also includes the two men who died in the Second World War. The wires covering the bottom of the plaque were holding the poppy wreath in place.

Frederick ATTWOOD  Charles ATTWOOD  Steven CHALLEN  William CHALLEN  Frank CORFEY  George DRIER  Elton FOWLER  George GROOME  William F HAWKINS  Leonard HILL HT HOOPER

Sidney JONES  Arthur KEEP  Edgar KEEPE  Percy PARSONS  Archibald PEGLER  Edward SMITH  Frank Reginald SUMMERS  Edgar WOODWARD  Henry James WOODWARD  Percy WOODWARD  Albert George WYATT

Some of these men are also listed on other memorials in the area. Elton Fowler is on the Dursley memorial, Percy Parsons on North Nibley and Leonard Hill and (possibly) Edgar Keepe are also on the Cam memorial.

The names from the Second World War: 1939-1945.

Peter Charles Sutherland MILWARD

Colin Eilliam Duckett PAIN

On either side of the plaque are these epitaphs. The first is of unknown source while the second is Biblical, from John 15:13.

"They gave their lives for you to see that you live for others: Tis the best that you can give."

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

"In glorious memory of Stinchcombe men who fell in the Great War 1914-1918"

I haven't done any further research into this memorial or its men but if you'd like to know more about any of the men, or have information you wish to share please do get in touch.

Kathryn

PS. Population statistics are estimates based on the 1911 census. Not all of the men remembered on the memorial would have been living in Stinchcombe in 1911 but it is the best resource for making approximations. Statistics are compiled by Vision of Britain.