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Bethlehem Unitarian Church, Newchurch

War Memorial

Bethlehem Unitarian Church, Newchurch

The Memorial Window.

"Lest we Forget."

The Window is placed at the north end of the Church in devout and grateful memory of the twenty seven brave and gallant men from this Church and School who lost their lives in the great European War of 1914-1918, namely:

Fred AshworthJohn W. HitchenFred Scholes
John B. AshworthJames HeysHarry Scholes
Ronald BradleyJesse LordHubert Scholes
Fred BradleyJames McMurrayGeorge Taylor
Ralph BridgeEdgar PlaneJoseph Taylor
William E. CrawshawFred RidehalghFred Taylor
Wilfred CrowtherWilliam R. RidehalghRichard H. Taylor
Joseph DavidsonCharles W. RaynerAlbert Woodhead
Percy HorsfieldSilvester RedmanRobert Whittaker

The Memorial Window.

"Lest we Forget."

The Design of the Window is intended to symbolise the moral attitude of those who went forth to the conflict ; the Causes for which they fought; the better world which it was hoped would be possible after victory.

In the first Panel is a mother holding a helpless babe in one arm, while with the other she is directing an older child in the path of learning. This is Love caring for the helpless and instructing the young. It was in defence of their mothers, wives and little ones that our men took part in the terrible struggle. It was for home and country and the oppressed of other lands that they gave their lives. This figure will also remind us of how while the war lasted our women endured severe hardships and deep sorrows for Love's sake, illustrating the passage "Love suffereth long and is kind."

The Centre Panel contains an emblematical figure of Courage. He hears the call of his country to defend it against the tyrannical demands of an alien military Power. Pie hears the call of those whom he loves to secure for them the pure relations, the high principles and the liberty without which Love cannot flourish. And in answer to these he conse­crates all his powers to do so noble a service, and goes forward to be " Faithful unto death." It is a strong, noble and dignified figure calculated ever to inspire the youth of our Church to devote their lives to the realisation of the high principles and lofty ideals for which these men fought, and suffered and died.

The Third Panel symbolises Peace, offering with grateful mien the palm of victory. By her side comes a young boy signifying The New Era, bearing on his shoulder the Cornucopia full of the fruits which Peace should bring to the generations of the future. He is looking wistfully outwards and onwards towards the gleam of light which is the promise of the better time to come, when The fruits of righteousness shall be peace."

Shields at the foot of each figure bear the names of the fallen. The small windows at the top have worked into them the letters B. U. C. which not only stand for the name of the Church, but also for its principles,—Brotherhood, Unity, Charity.

The colours have also their symbolism; there is the light purple of queenly dignity mingled with the darker purple of sorrow, the rich red of sacrifice, the gold of victory, and the bright green of hope, which are dominant in the drapery of the several figures.

The work has been ably executed by Messrs. George Wragge, Ltd., of Salford and London, the cost of which was willingly subscribed before the contract was entered into.

"The Path of Duty was the way to Glory."

The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony was performed on Saturday 19th March 1921

The Church was demolished in April 1987 and it is presumed that the Memorial was lost at that time.

Monument details - Imperial War Museum