LONG MARSTON WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2026

The memorial is located on the Village Green, Station Road, Long Marston, Dacorum, Hertfordshire. It takes the form of a Celtic cross with a three stepped base surmounted by plinth, a tapered shaft; the dedication and names are in leaded lettering on the front face of the plinth and top step. The memorial has been carved from a single slab of granite the whole standing on a raised area of ground with three steps leading up to the memorial itself and a low chain link and post fence has been placed around the boundary of the memorial. The memorial was made by Messrs Newman and Harper, Builder and Messrs. Jas Chandler, Manufacturer; it cost £400 paid for by public subscription and was dedicated by clergy, dignitaries and local residents and unveiled by Lord Rothschild, 7 August 1921.

Extract from The Buckinghamshire Herald, Saturday, August 13, 1921:

THE LONG MARSTON MEMORIAL

The memorial at Long Marston is a Celtic cross carved out of a single slab of silver grey granite, and set on a large die above three wide steps also of silver grey granite. A crazy path two feet wide serves as an edging to the bottom step, and the whole structure is elevated on a massive concrete foundation with sloping earth banks which it is proposed to turf. A depression is cut in the bank to admit four deep stone steps which give access from the ground level to the crazy path, and thence to the memorial cross. The monument measures 19ft. from base to summit. It stands on the main road of the village, near the school buildings, and it is estimated that when a neat rail fence has been placed round about, and turf and ornamental trees set to harmonise, the total cost will be about £400. Ten names are recorded on the face of the die, chiselled and leaded, the full text of the inscription being as follows:—

“In memory of the gallant men of this village who fought and fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. George Hedrick, Walter Jesse Chapman, Harry Chappin, James Chappin, William Ernest Clarke, Harry Gregory, James William Ives, Albert Wallis, Joseph Wallis, Walter Winfield. They did their duty for King and country.”

The erection of the memorial was entrusted to the skill of Messrs. Newman and Harper, of Aylesbury, while the foundations were set by Messrs. Jas. Chandler and Son, Long Marston. A large and representative committee worked arduously to promote the scheme, their number including Messrs. F. W. Taylor (chairman), W. Wilkins (hon. treasurer), W. B. Southernwood (who efficiently performed the hon. secretarial duties), Mesdames M. Chapman, M. Oakley, Herbert Gregory, Edward Gregory, Nash, Wilkins, and Gurney. Misses Pamant and Stephens, Messrs. J. Chapman, J. Chandler, M. Chapman, H. Kingham, W. Dean, T. Chapman, A. Chapman, A. E. Read, F. W. Inns, E. Harrowell, Ernest Gregory, Edward Gregory, W. Mead, and R. Pheasant.

Long Marston Band (conducted by Mr. J. Prothero, of Aylesbury), played selections during the assembling of the congregation. Ex-service men paraded in charge of Sergt. Proctor, and they formed a guard of honour to Lord Rothschild, as he approached the monument. Two officers of 39th West London Troop Boy Scouts (camping in the vicinity), acted as standard bearers, taking up positions on the right and left of the memorial, which was covered by a large Union Jack, lent by Mr. Harry Plater, of Aylesbury.

The impressive ceremony of unveiling commenced with the singing of a hymn “O God our help in ages past.” Rev. H. M. Rowden, vicar of Long Marston, officiated, and was accompanied by Rev. J. W. Cassals, of Highgate, on furlough from India, where he holds a chaplaincy under Government. Following prayers by the Vicar, the hymn “Lead Kindly Light” was sung, and Mr. W. J. WARREN, of Tring; (representing the local Baptist Church), read a Lesson.

Mr. P. W. TAYLOR bevies introduced Lord Rothschild and invited him to unveil the memorial, read the names of the fallen.

Lord ROTHSCHILD said of the men commemorated that they went forth at the call of duty to try to help save their country, and their fellow countrymen from as overwhelming danger. That village memorial had been erected by the friends and relatives of those who made the supreme sacrifice, and he wished to add that it ought also to serve as a memorial not only to those who had fallen, but to all those who went out at the trumpet call of duty from that village and neighbouring villages. He was informed that out of Long Marston and Wilstone three score men went forth. It was a very fine record for a country village of the size. The monument ought also to be a memorial to us, our children, and descendants, to remind us that the best way to honour the men who went forth was to be always ready to follow the call of duty. Duty was the first, the supreme matter in this world, and he would point out that those men went forth not only to do their duty to their fellow countrymen, but that they went forth at the call of humanity to save what undoubtedly would have been the greatest catastrophe the world Lad ever seen. The war had been a terrible trial to all, and a calamity each as bad never afflicted human beings before but he firmly believed that if it had not been for the immense sense of duty and patriotism of the men whom they were honouring that day, as well as the thousands of others who went forth from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, America, Italy and many other countries from the Dominions, Australia and Canada, to do their duty, the war would have been much more terrible, and would have resulted in dire destruction. The friends and relations whom they honoured that day separated and acted on the call of duty in numerous places,—France, India, Africa, Gallipoli, the Holy Land, Egypt,—and everywhere they followed the same difficult path of duty. For that we must honour them most, and we could best do it by remembering their sacrifice and always trying to emulate it.

The ceremony of unveiling was performed, and followed by a minute's silence. Prayer was offered and a short address, given by Mr. W. BATES, of Aylesbury, who represented, the village Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. TAYLOR voiced the thanks of the company to Lord Rothschild for unveiling the memorial. After the singing of the hymn “For ever I with the Lord,” the Vicar pronounced the Blessing, and the Band, which had led the singing, gave an impressive rendering of the Dead March is Saul, then the National Anthem was sung, and eight bandsmen acting as trumpeters sounded the “Last Post.” The final scene of a memorable occasion was the pining of floral tributes on the memorial by relatives and friends, one of the first wreaths put into position being “in memory of the dear lads of this village who fell in the Great War. From the War Memorial Committee.”

Photographs Copyright © Charlote Van Kempen 2026

IN MEMORY OF
THE GALLANT MEN
OF THIS VILLAGE WHO FOUGHT AND FELL IN
THE GREAT WAR
1914-1918

IN THIS VILLAGE 19-2-1945 B24H LIBERATOR 4250385 R4H PILOTED BY 1ST LT LOUIS J M McCARTHY JR.
CRASHED AFTER TAKE OFF DUE TO INSTRUMENT FAILURE. THREE CREW MEMBERS PERISHED
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF AERIAL GUNNERS
S/SGT CARL E. LINDQUIST, PVT FRED K BECKER & PVT HOWARD E HALEY
OF THE 8TH USAAF AND IN HONOUR OF THE 36TH BOMB SQUADRON RCM BASED AT
CHEDDINGTON STATION 113 THIS MEMORIAL IS HEREBY DEDICATED ON 7TH MAY 2011

Last updated 26 July, 2026