The memorial outside The Church of St John The Baptist in Bettisfield
Report in the Llangollen Advertiser. Denbighshire, Merioneth and North Wales Journal 31st October 1919.
The Unveiling of The Bettisfield Memorial.
There was quite a. large congregation pres- ent at Bettisfield Church, on Oct. 23, when the war memorial was unveiled by Archdeacon Fletcher, Rector of Marchwiel. The memor- ial is a most graceful cross standing upon three steps with a large base. From this base springs a tall, slender, octagonal shaft with an embattled cap and, as a crowning feature, the whole terminates in a beautifully carved Calvary and Cross, covered by a canopy with an embattled cornice the pose of the cruci- j fied Saviour is based on the early Gothic treatment, the arms being horizontal and the feet separated. The total height of the Cross is 19ft. roin., and is worked out of Derbyshire stone. The design is adopted from a cross in Somersby Church yard, Lincolnshire, the birthplace of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The introduction of bronze has added a richness of tone and is most pleasingly decorative. On i the bronze panel are the names of the men belonging to the parish or closely connected with it, who gave their lives in defence of their country.’ The inscription runs as follows: To the Glory of God and in grate- ful memory of these men who gave their lives for us in the Great War, 1914-1919.” Then follows the following names F. Leslie, Barry Roberts, William Beckett, John William Crump, Herbert Hallmark, Ernest George Harper, John Ernest Kelsall, Walter Lang- ford, Walter Maddox, Joseph Henry Smith. Edwin Speakman. There was shortened evening service in the church, at which the hymns Through the night of doubt and sorrow and On the Resurrection morning,” were sung. The dedication service in the churchyard was taken by Archdeacon Fletcher, who delivered an inspiring address. At its conclusion the hymn When I survey the Wondrous Cross,” was sung. The clergy present were Revs. F. B. Roberts, vicar of Bettisfield; F. C. Chambers, vicar of Han- mer; W. Edwyn Jones, vicar of Bronington; H. Eaton Jones, Lyneal; and W. B. Hughes, chaplain to the Forces, Oswestry. J
(From Wales Newspapers On-Line. Printed exactly as it appears)
This is a second memorial in Bettisfield. This one is situated in the Village Hall (formerly the village school). It lists all who served as well as those who died. Hanging next to it is the framed story of Walter Maddox and the Ice Tragedy and above that is the citation on vellum from the Royal Humane Society that was presented to Walter Maddox by Lady Hanmer.
Link to Bettisfield Village Web
Link to Clwyd Family History Bettisfield War Memorial