Memorial Cross, St Peters Churchyard - Bardon

• Designed by: Mr Nott, Leicester
• Listing Status: Grade II
• District: NW Leics

• Parish: Bardon

Portland stone cross on plinth bearing three slate plaques, supported on Bardon granite with Portland stone dressings. Unveiled 4 September 1920 by Mr BN Everard (Bardon Hill), dedicated by Rev Canon Broughton. Coalville Times article, Friday September 10th, 1920. MEMORIAL CROSS AT BARDON UNVEILING AND DEDICATION SERVICE The unveiling and dedication of the memorial to the memory of the men from the parish of Bardon Hill who gave their lives for their country in the late war, took place on Saturday afternoon. The memorial is a cross of Portland stone attending on a square base of the same stone, with panels of Swithland slate on three sides, and supported on Bardon granite with Portland stone dressings, and surrounded by a granite slab, and is erected in St. Peter’s Churchyard. The front tablet bears the words, “To the Glory of God, and in memory of the men of the parish who gave their lives for their country in the Great War – 1914 – 1918.” The names and regiments of the fallen are inscribed on the panels on the North and South sides. A small Swithland slate tablet, let in the granite base at the front says, “Their name liveth for evermore.” The design and finish are most artistic, and reflect great credit on the architect, Mr Nott, of Leicester. The church was full to overflowing for the dedication service. The processional hymn was, “Ten thousand times ten thousand.” The Vicar, (the Rev. E. Pillifant) took the first part of the service, and the Rev. J. A. Hopwood, Bardon Park Chapel, read the special lesson. After the singing of Psalm 84, and the hymn, “O God our help in ages past,” the offertory, which was for the war memorial fund was taken, and amounted to £11/2/3. A most impressive sermon was preached by the Rural Dean, the Rev. T. W. Walters, M.A., Vicar of Whitwick, from the text: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In the course of his address, the rev. gentleman said no monument that was ever made would be worthy of the heroic deed, who saved, not only Europe, but the world, by their gallant efforts, and died so that better things might ensue in our land. But had these better things followed? Was it for all this unrest in our land that these men died? What was the cause of it all? A conflict between national feelings and class feelings. These men did not die for sections or parties, but that the whole might be better, that the traditions of this nation should be carried on to a future time. What is the remedy? Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and take the principles of Christianity as the foundation of our dealings with man. The hymn, “Fight the good fight,” followed the reading of the names of the fallen by the Vicar, and a solemn Te Deum was sung. Then the congregation, headed by the choir and clergy, proceeded to the churchyard where the cross was unveiled by Mr B. N. Everard (Bardon Hill), who said he was glad for two things to have the honour of taking part in the proceedings that day. The first was that he knew most of the men personally, and the second was that it was an opportunity to express his sympathy with the bereaved. It was also a consolation to him to think that some day he should not only be near to his dear ones at rest, but also in the shadow the cross erected to the brave heroes of the parish. The Rev. Canon Broughton read the dedicatory prayers and pronounced the Blessing, the singing of the National Anthem bringing the ceremony to a close. A large number of beautiful floral tributes were placed on the memorial by relatives and friends of the fallen.