Ballaugh Parish War Memorial

Who were the men of Ballaugh Parish who answered the call to arms, not once, but twice? Here at the Ballaugh Parish War Memorial, a towering testament to sacrifice and duty, their names are etched in stone. This striking white marble Celtic cross, reaching 12 feet high, stands atop a red sandstone plinth. It commands attention, demanding we remember the local men lost in the two World Wars. The Ballaugh Parish War Memorial wasn’t always here, as it stands. Unveiled on November 10th, 1921, the memorial initially commemorated the fallen of the Great War. The dedication, attended by the Archdeacon and witnessed by around 500 people, marked a somber moment of remembrance. Mr. J F Crellin, Captain of the Parish of Andreas, unveiled the cross. He read aloud the inscription on the shaft: “To the Glory of God, and in Memory of the Men of the Parish who fell in the Great War 1914 – 1918.” He then read each name inscribed on the marble panels. Eighteen men from Ballaugh Parish made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War. Their names, like Boyde, Cannell, Clague, Cleator, Corkill, and Corlett, represent just a fraction of the lives forever changed by the conflict. Years later, another conflict engulfed the world. A new tablet was added to the Ballaugh Parish War Memorial’s base. This addition solemnly remembers the three men from the parish who fell during World War II. The memorial now stands as a poignant reminder of two generations lost to war. Look closely at the inscription on the shaft. You’ll notice the dedication “To the Glory of God.” This reflects the strong ties between the memorial and the nearby St Mary de Ballaugh Churchyard, where it stands. The memorial’s location within the churchyard further emphasizes its sacred purpose. The Ballaugh Parish War Memorial stands not just as cold stone, but as a symbol of enduring gratitude. It honors the ordinary men of this parish who performed extraordinary acts of bravery. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.