The design of the memorial is unique in Lincolnshire, as it is a free standing clock tower, the only one of its kind in this county.
The memorial cost £229 1s 6d to erect, the money being raised by a War Memorial Committee from public subscription and fund raising. The unveiling of the memorial was performed by Colonel G B Walker, VD, formerly the officer commanding the 2-5 Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.
The memorial stands 15½ feet high being situated on a piece of land that was given by John Amos Hipkin, on the corner of Cole Lane and Fen Road, close to the Main Road. It is made of sandstone from Stoke Hall quarries in Derbyshire and was designed and executed by Mr G H Bunney of Sheffield. The clock tower stands on top of a stepped plinth made of matching sandstone.
The clock mechanism was made and installed by Messrs Potts of Leeds and is located inside the base of the tower. The clock has three dials, one of gilt hands with a black background and two of black hands with a white background.
On the front of the memorial is inscribed “THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1919” followed by a list in gold lettering of those who died in the Great War and a plaque which was added later, listing those who died in the Second World War.
Underneath this is the inscription “Men of Stickford who made the Supreme Sacrifice”.
On the right and left sides of the memorial are the further inscriptions, “Greater love hath no man than this” and “I gave my life for thee”.
First World War men remembered on Stickford War Memorial:-
Borrill F R
Bycroft F W
Ely H
Horne E R
Melton C
Pawlett W
Sharpe H H
Sharpe W H
Thompson H P
Toynton W B
Woods S
The war memorial was unveiled on 11th November 1923 which coincided with the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice. A large number of people were present, not just from Stickford but also from surrounding villages.
Following the end of the Second World War a plaque was erected “To the immortal memory of
Chapman F
Elston J H
Kitchen J
Milns B C W
Penson N
Men of this parish who died for us in the war of 1939 – 1945”
The plaque was unveiled by Arthur Allewell Esq on 24th November 1946, following which Mr F J Zealand, chairman of Stickford Parish Council received the tablet on behalf of the Parish.
Each year on the Sunday nearest to the 11th November the village is invited to remember those lost in the 2 wars. The Parish Council provides from the RBL crosses for all the named persons and a Wreath. The crosses are placed in the trough provided. The service starts at approx. 10.45am with the 2 minutes silence at 11.00am. The service is led by our local Vicar.
For more information contact stickfordparishclerk@gmail.com