St Clement’s WW1 Memorial Cross

What whispers do the stones of St Clement’s WW1 Memorial Cross hold? Here, on Marston Road, stands a silent sentinel. The St Clement’s WW1 Memorial Cross remembers the sacrifice of 108 men from this parish. These men gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918. The cross, crafted from Portland stone, reaches towards the sky. It stands approximately 4.5 meters tall. It is a poignant symbol of remembrance, erected by Messrs Axtell & Son for £192. The inscription, etched in lead lettering, proclaims, “To the Glory of God and in honoured and grateful memory of the 108 men from St Clements who gave their lives for their Country in the Great War 1914–1918.” Look closely at the riser of the top step. You can almost make out the faded words, “Their name liveth for evermore.” Mrs. Herbert Morrell of Headington Hill Hall played a crucial role in the creation of this memorial. She donated the land in 1921 for the extension of St Clement’s churchyard, where the cross stands. She also covered the remaining costs of the memorial, a generous sum of £89 9s 1d. On April 4, 1921, she and the Bishop of Oxford unveiled and consecrated the St Clement’s WW1 Memorial Cross. While the cross bears the names of the fallen, a framed Roll of Honour resides within St Clement’s Church. It lists all 108 names, a testament to the devastating impact of the war on this small community. The church itself has a rich history, dating back to before 1122. It even survived the English Civil War, a period of great turmoil. But the St Clement’s WW1 Memorial Cross tells a different story, one of loss and remembrance in the aftermath of a global conflict. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by these men, and a place where their memory lives on.