Contemplate for a moment the weight of history etched in Portland stone. We stand before the Barking Park War Memorial. It is more than just a monument. It is a testament to sacrifice and remembrance.
Barking Park War Memorial commemorates the men of Barking who fell in World War I and World War II. The memorial stands in the northwest part of Barking Park. It marks a place for reflection.
Designed by C J Dawson, the memorial was unveiled on March 25, 1922. Dawson was a notable local architect. He also designed Barking Park itself and its boating lake. The Reverend Avison Terry Scott led the unveiling. The Suffragan Bishop of Barking dedicated the memorial.
Originally, names were carved into stone tablets. But weathering made them illegible. In 1992, a new plaque honored the lost names. Further changes came in 2000 and 2001. Fourteen bronze plaques with enamelled lettering replaced the original tablets. A re-dedication service was held on August 5, 2001. Following research, 385 additional names were added.
The Barking Park War Memorial features a three-stepped flagstone pavement. A central pylon and curved flanking walls rise from it. The pylon is three meters tall. It features a stone laurel wreath in relief. The dates 1914 and 1918 flank the wreath. Below, a plaque reads: IN GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO SERVED, AND IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF BARKING WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR. The dates 1939-1945 are inscribed below this plaque.
The flanking walls also stand three meters tall. They bear carved inscriptions and end in terminal piers. The walls hold fourteen bronze name plaques. On the rear of the pylon, an inscription tells of a flagpole. Arthur W. Smith presented it to Barking. It was a token of remembrance for those who served in the Great War. Many were wounded. Others gave their lives. This inscription refers to a flagpole on the central pylon. It was part of the original design. Now, it is missing.
Every year on Remembrance Day, a ceremony takes place here. It is usually the second Sunday in November. Music from a local marching band precedes the event.
Take a moment to appreciate the Barking Park War Memorial. Notice the names etched in bronze. Remember the stories behind them. Think of their sacrifices for freedom. Let us honor their memory. Let us strive for a world where such sacrifices are never needed again. This memorial is not just stone and bronze. It is a promise to remember. It is a commitment to peace.