Memorial plaques unveiled at North Marston

During the First World War sixty young men from North Marston enlisted and of those, twenty four were killed. In order to create a permanent memorial to those who gave their lives in the conflict a Memorial Hall was built in North Marston funded by public subscription. The hall was opened on Monday 21st April 1924 by Lord Cottesloe, Lord Lieutenant of the County.

The Bucks Herald at that time, when reporting the opening, commented that “It is hoped in due course to erect a memorial tablet in commemoration of the men who died in the service of their country”.

Now, to mark the hundredth anniversary of the opening of the Memorial Hall two bronze plaques have been commissioned and installed. As well as those who died in the First World War the plaques record the names of two North Marston residents who died in the Second World War and the Malayan Emergency and the crew of the Wellington Bomber which crashed near the village in January 1945.

The purchase of the plaques was possible due to the generous contributions from local residents, village organisations and the Buckinghamshire Council.

The plaques were unveiled on Sunday 10th November by the Archdeacon of Buckingham, the Venerable Guy Elsmore and Wing Commander Pete York as part of the Act of Remembrance during which wreaths were laid by representatives of parish and county councils and many local organisations.

A display, prepared by the North Marston History Club, was exhibited in the Memorial Hall giving details of many of those who are commemorated.