King Edward’s Witley Unveils Newly Renovated WWI War Memorial

  • 9 years ago
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King Edward's School Witley WWI War MemorialKing Edward’s Witley’s World War One memorial has been restored to its former glory 95 years after it was first erected at the School’s beautiful 100-acre site in rural Surrey.

In memory of the 94 former pupils and staff who died in the Great War 1914-1919, the monument was originally commissioned by the School’s alumni – the Old Boys’ Association of the School (now called the Old Witleians or ‘Old Wits’) and was first unveiled at a special ceremony on 11th September 1920.

Renovation work was commissioned and jointly funded by the Old Witleians, boosted through fundraising by the School’s Development Office and with the help of a grant from the War Memorials Trust to mark UK-wide Centenary Commemorations of WW1.

Stonemasons at Stone Edge Conservation of London used centuries-old stone carving techniques to clean and recut some of the lettering on the freestanding monument. Crafted entirely from Portland stone, it incorporates the Rose of England and the Oak as well as the school crest.

The memorial is a local landmark and many local residents will be familiar with it as they drive past on the Petworth Road. It carries the following inscriptions; ‘This memorial is erected in affectionate remembrance by old boys of the school and their friends’ and ‘Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends’.

Commenting on the newly renovated memorial, John Attwater, Headmaster of King Edward’s Witley said, “This has been a great effort by the whole King Edward’s community to conserve this memorial for the next hundred years and beyond. It’s an important part of the School’s rich heritage for all of us to pay our respects and honour those who lost their lives as well as to remember those who continue to risk their lives in times of conflict and in peacekeeping roles. By commemorating lives lost in the Great War we get a better sense of our own part in history and the sense of duty and service of Witleians through the ages which we hope will continue into the future.”

The School’s Development Manager, Emma Harrison, added, “Thanks to the generosity of donors, further repointing work to the memorial, approved by the War Memorials Trust, is planned for this Autumn and a special Remembrance Service and Whole School Eucharist will be held at the School on 11th November 2015.”

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