Dedicated to commemorating the men of Wickford and Runwell Essex, who gave their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, we are always looking for new information and particularly photographs of any of the men who are featured on here, as well as any that have a connection to the area that we have missed.

We trust you will enjoy and find this site informative and take time to reflect on the sacrifices made in one small location that was mirrored in thousands of others around the world, lest we forget.

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NOW AVAILABLE >> 'Wickford's Heroes' - The Wickford and Runwell Roll of Honour Book, released November 11, 2007

To help raise funds for the renovations and improvements to the War Memorial, we have written and produced a Roll of Honour covering all the men of both world wars, linked to Wickford and Runwell, who made the supreme sacrifice. Details include pictures (where possible), newspaper quotes, brief civilian life details, service life and details of the action that they were lost in, photos of commemoration or place of burial (with a few exceptions such as those buried in Iraq or Burma).

The book also sets the scene by looking at the effects of war on a small English town.

Ideal for those interested in local history, military research, medal collectors or simply for those of you who would like to show your support for this very worthwhile project.

Over 140 pages with more than 200 images! Limited to 600 copies, so get your copy now!

Order your copy now. Price £14.50 Order 'Wickford's Heroes' now >>

 


The Wickford War Memorial comes in a number of sections commemorating the men in different ways:

World War I:
At the end of the First World War a fund was set up to commemorate the men of Wickford and Runwell who had served and not returned home. The fund quickly raised over £1,000 and the local council debated about how best this could be spent to ensure ‘a fitting and lasting tribute’. Despite a number of different suggestions from a place the local lads could meet up at, to a traditional memorial, the eventual choice was a staffed nursing home. This was despite a late plea by two gentlemen on ‘behalf of many of the people of Wickford’ who wanted a more traditional memorial where they could visit and reflect on the missing lads. Building started soon after on land donated by one of the fathers of one of those killed in action. Outside the home were placed two stone tablets recording the names of 29 men whose families had asked for them to be recorded. The nursing home stood for many years before being demolished in 1976 to make way for a new road, the only bits that survived were the two stone tablets (which now stand at the gates to the World War II Memorial Park) and the ceremonial opening key, thus denying the town a proper memorial to those who served and died in the horrors of 1914-18.

World War II:
Following the end of World War II once again thoughts turned to how to commemorate those who did not return. A number of schemes were run to both welcome home returning troops and to commemorate those who would never return. With the World War I Memorial Nursing Home still in existence at this point it was again decided to try and create a memorial that the people of Wickford could use and enjoy. And so it was decided that a park with tree lined Avenue of Remembrance with 59 trees that each had a plinth and plaque with the name of one of those killed would be a fitting tribute. A stone tablet with the names was also commissioned. The only point of contradiction appears to be that the names of the men of Runwell, were not to be included this time as they had been in World War I, as the fund raising had been done purely in the name of Wickford, which clearly according to local newspapers of the time upset many residents. Runwell however added a stone plaque outside the Village Hall with the 11 names of those killed in the 1939-45 period.