War Memorials

Kings Green

The Loughton war memorial stands on Kings Green in the York Hill conservation area shaded by a large plane tree. It is a silent tribute to those members of the three armed forces who fell in the First World War. Some while ago, the Town Council learned of a Loughton soldier whose name should have been included on the memorial. The council decided to remedy the oversight and, at the same time, see if there were any other names that should rightfully be displayed. This included those from Loughton who died in the Second World War.

The Town Council carried out extensive research to establish the missing names, and invited members of the public to submit any they felt should be included. The new name plaques were then cast and fixed to the War Memorial.

A moving ceremony to dedicate the plaques was held in June 2002. The ecumenical service in the Methodist Church was attended by around 125 people, including representatives from Churches Together in Loughton, Epping Forest District Council and the Royal British Legion, the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, MP Eleanor Laing and Town Council members and staff.

The service included a moving tribute from Councillor Monty Juniper, who knew many of those who lost their lives. At the War Memorial, Loughton's Vice-Chairman, Roger Pearce, paid tribute to the 64 soldiers who died in the Second World War and the 12 who were killed in the First World War.

The Town Council would like to thank the Royal British Legion, Churches Together in Loughton and all those involved in making the arrangements for this event.

Thanks are due to everyone who contacted the Town Council. It was heartening to see that the fallen from both world wars were remembered. The Town Council hopes that this feeling of respect and gratitude will be felt by all, now and in the future.

In 2015, the Town Council also responded to requests for the names of family members not originally included in the plaques to be added. Those were Warrant Officer Harold James Bassingthwaite (d 1945), Pilot Officer Gerald Frank Russell Cooke (d 1942) and 2^nd Lieutenant Harold Johnson Martin (d 1942).

ROLL OF HONOUR:

We invite you to check the lists of names provided here, which also include those remembered on the memorials in the St John and St Mary Churches and on the Civilian memorial on the Loughton Police Station.

Civilian War Memorial

In May 2005, the then Loughton Town Mayor, Cllr Chris Pond, was honoured to unveil the civilian war memorial which the council had erected.

The plaque is on the wall of the Loughton police station in Forest Road and lists 32 names of Loughton civilians killed during World War II.

Local resident Norma Cross first suggested the plaque. She thought the council might want to commemorate Ben Platten as part of its Blue Heritage Plaque Scheme.

Mrs Cross had been contacted by a relative of Mr Platten, a pacifist who was killed in Loughton in the war.
He was a well-known local figure, a journalist, civil defence worker and councillor for Chigwell Urban District Council. Loughton's Environment, Heritage & Leisure Committee agreed to erect a plaque which would commemorate all civilians. Council officer Paul Roden carried out extensive research into the names to be inscribed on the plaque.

Alex Wilson & local Councillors Essex Police were asked to agree to the plaque as the police station marked the spot where the bomb fell which killed Mr Platten and two others. It is also a highly visible location which can be seen by all passers-by.

The date of the unveiling was particularly apposite as it was the 60th anniversary of the signing of the German capitulation throughout Europe.

Alex Wilson, who works for the council and is also an accomplished bagpipes player, played two laments at the ceremony.

Guests included relatives of some of those named on the plaque, as well as local councillors and residents.
Afterwards, all the guests gathered for refreshments and the opportunity to chat and reminisce. Cllrs Chris Pond and Janet Woods, chairman of the Environment, Heritage & Leisure Committee, told the assembly about how the plaque came about and some of the personal stories behind the names.

Many Loughtonians had volunteered for dangerous war work, including in the medical services, the ARP, the police and fire services, and other voluntary services.

Millennium Remembrance Grove

The planting of the Millennium Remembrance Grove on the Hillyfields open space was completed in June 2003.

Two interpretation boards telling how the Grove was conceived have had to be removed because of vandalism. The boards explained that the Grove was planted as a memorial to Loughton residents killed in conflicts throughout the world, and that, as the Grove was conceived as a Millennium project, it also stands as a living testament to the future. The boards also showed how the tree planting relates to continents where conflict has taken place.

A number of people and organisations have made a subscription to the Grove in memory of loved ones and their names are recorded in the Book of Dedication which can be viewed at the Council offices.

The Council is committed to the future of the Grove and will continue to maintain it.

2,000 daffodil bulbs have been planted in the Millennium Remembrance Grove, which will enhance the grove for many years to come.