Southend and Westcliff Graphic

We have recently been contacted by Stuart Hallifax who is doing a doctoral thesis on Essex in WW1. During his research he came across the article in the Southend and Westcliff Graphic dated May 1915 showing the WW1 Roll of Honour  (which was in St Katherine’s Church later moved to St Nicholas) with just the first four names engraved on it.

Stuart said “The newspaper article stated that it was the first of its kind in an Essex church, which I think is true.  More than that, it is the earliest example of its kind (i.e. a permanent memorial to all local fallen in the war, rather than to all those serving or just one family) that I know of anywhere in the country!”

The Memorial in 1915

When Stuart contacted us he had no idea where the Memorial was. We were able to give him that information and supply the picture below which shows the Memorial (now showing all the names of the Canvey’s fallen in WWI) hanging in St Nicholas Church, for his thesis.

The Memorial as it is today

Thank you Stuart for sending us a little bit of Canvey History.