At the end of the 1st World War, as a memorial to the fallen, the residents of Colne Engaine subscribed to a wooden entrance arch (in the form of a goalpost type of structure) above the entrance to the car park at the village Recreation Ground, on which were inscribed the words "Remember the men of Colne Engaine who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918
A close up of the original memorial arch, originally located at the entrance to the recreation ground.
At the end of the 1st World War, as a memorial to the fallen, the residents of Colne Engaine subscribed to a wooden entrance arch (in the form of a goalpost type of structure) above the entrance to the car park at the village Recreation Ground, on which were inscribed the words "Remember the men of Colne Engaine who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918
The original memorial arch
At the end of the 1st World War, as a memorial to the fallen, the residents of Colne Engaine subscribed to a wooden entrance arch (in the form of a goalpost type of structure) above the entrance to the car park at the village Recreation Ground, on which were inscribed the words "Remember the men of Colne Engaine who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918" (see picture above).
It is thought to have been made by Harry Lorkin, a local man, according to his daughter Cissie Monk.
When the archway became too small for trucks and refuse lorries to get into the car park (owned by the Parish Council), the archway was taken down and the inscribed crossbar was re-sited at ground level at the top end of our churchyard, as if it were a seat. Its top surface has been protected by a lead covering, so it is (we believe) in good condition. It looked down the slope of our churchyard towards the village pub opposite the bottom end. The arch has now been removed for restoration and will be preserved in the new memorial.
​​A village remembers
As was the case for most villages across England during the early 20th century, Colne Engaine did not escape losing it's parishoners in the fight for freedom.
The village originally had 2 memorials, one being a memorial arch which you can just see in the picture on the right, and a memorial in the church which is still the focus of village remembrance services to this day.