"BRANDON WAR MEMORIAL"

To the eternal memory of the men of BRANDON who died in the service of their country
65 in the Great War of 1914-1919, 23 in 1939-1945 and 1 in Korea



The Brandon war memorial stands at the junction of four paths at the centre the cemetery. It take the form of a replica of Sir Reginald Blomfield's Cross of Sacrifice, seen in all CWGC cemeteries. The sword in carved on the stone rather than being in bronze. The base is slightly different, being a three stepped plinth on a 4 stepped octagonal base. It is in circle of gravel atop a circular grass mound.

It was unveiled on 17th October 1920 by Col B.Spragge D.S.O. A report was in the Bury and Norwich Post on 22nd October 1920. © IWM (WMR-4524)

The inscription is on a small tablet at the base of the north face, (which faces the cemetery entrance) and is inscribed:-
SONS OF THIS PLACE, LET THIS OF YOU BE SAID
THAT YOU WHO LIVE ARE WORTHY OF YOUR DEAD
THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT YOU WHO LIVE MAY REAP
A RICHER HARVEST ERE YOU FALL ASLEEP

The Great war names are arranged alphabetically in unit order, then rank, surname and given name. Those from 1939-1945 also have rank and unit but are arranged in purely in alphabetical order of surname.

There are also memorials in St Peter's Church taking to form of a stained glass window of 3 lights commemorating the those who fell in the Great War, on the left St George, centre Christ presenting a crown to a soldier and right St. Michael. By Messrs Heaton, Butler and Bayne(builders), it was unveiled by Canon Farmiloe on 1st November 1921, and a further wall mounted copper plaque commemorating the dead of both world wars.

ST GEORGE ......BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO/ DEATH AND I WILL GIVE/ THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.....ST MICHAEL
IN THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF SACRIFICE PRESERVATION & VICTORY 1914 - 1918

Within the church, on the right hand (north) wall of the nave. A square copper plaque, surmounted by a brass crucifix upon a base, the plaque engraved with the names of 65 men of Brandon who gave their lives in WW1. The names listed alphabetically by surname, preceded by initials. No ranks, units or dates of death are listed. Below this plaque has been added a similar rectangular copper plaque, similarly commemorating the names of 23 men who gave their lives during WW2.

The dedication reads:- TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE BRANDON MEN WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR (then the names) ALSO IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945 (then the names)

In 1948 the Brandon Memorial Playing Field, to the south west of the cemetery, was inaugurated.

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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.