Category: war

Havering’s Commonwealth War Graves

In Britain, the 11th of November is known as Remembrance Day. It is a national event marked by elaborate public ceremonies. It is a historic day celebrating those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorials include the Sanders Draper1 academy, which was named after an act of outstanding heroism.

During the First World War nearly a million British men died. They are memorialised with plaques in churches and public places. The Commonwealth War Graves (CWGC) was a government body who recognised that the majority of men died abroad and ensured that they were buried with full military honours.2

The Commission created marvellous sites, which are now part of British culture. There are escorted tours to share to maintain the historic connexion (see addendum).3

In Havering the eleven CWGC sites range from the elaborate to the anonymous. These sites are the burial place for 328 men. The largest is Romford cemetery with 119 graves and the smallest is Havering-atte-Bower (St John) with two.

The CWGC have graves in religious and secular sites. For example, St Andrew’s, Hornchurch and the adjacent cemetery are separate sites. In Rainham the Jewish CWGC site has graves integrated in the main body of the cemetery.5

The CWGC have graves in religious and secular sites. For example, St Andrew’s, Hornchurch and the adjacent cemetery are separate sites. In Rainham the Jewish CWGC site has graves integrated in the main body of the cemetery.5

Remembrance Day brings into sharp focus the sacrifice of previous generations. In Havering, respect for The Fallen is woven into the environment.

Addendum: Thiepval memorial

This memorial is in the Somme. The cemetery has 72,320 graves.4

Addendum: Havering’s CWGC sites

Noak Hill (St Thomas)

Hornchurch (St Andrew’s)

Hornchurch cemetery

Romford cemetery

Upminster (St Laurence)

Upminster cemetery

Rainham (Federation) Jewish cemetery

Rainham cemetery

Havering-atte-Bower (St John)

North Ockendon (St Mary Magdalene)

Cranham (All Saints)

Notes

1 Raimund Sanders Draper – Wikipedia

2 Search Results | CWGC The website says access to their cemetery in GAZA is inaccessible because of the war there!

3 Havering – Greater London Lieutenancy see also War Graves Pilgrimage | Leger Holidays This is just one example. NB The use of the word ‘pilgrimage’ making it quasi-religious.

4 Thiepval – Wikipedia see also Thiepval Memorial | Cemetery Details | CWGC

5 Private Stephen Shuster | War Casualty Details 2426994 | CWGC This provides additional detail for Stephen who was 19 years old when he died.

Havering’s Concrete Barges: relics of World War Two

In 1986 Correlli Barnett wrote The Audit of War. he believed that war speeds up innovation. Obviously not every innovation is successful and some look ridiculous in the cold light of day.1 Barnett’s said the stresses of war creates an atmosphere where creative people can ‘think the unthinkable’ and they get an influential audience. Havering’s concrete barges, which are rotting adjacent to the Rainham Riverside Thames path are a wonderful example of bizarre innovation. “They are the remains of concrete, iron rod-enforced ships from World War II. Despite appearances, they are lighter than the water they displace, and so can float.”2

Concrete barges at Rainham Riverside

The Americans developed concrete ships but ours’ were barges meant to transport material across the Channel for D-Day. They were invented to overcome a dangerous shortages of steel, which was used for strategically important munitions.

The Rainham Riverside walk starts at a small car park and the concrete barges are adjacent on the edge of the Thames. These 16 historical curiosities are part of Havering’s heritage. If you continue walking eastwards (towards QE2 bridge) you reach the RSPB reserve, which has a visitor’s centre, cafe and fascinating wildlife with accessible paths and viewing points.3 This is an easy walk but there aren’t many benches.

Notes

1 An aircraft carrier made from a mixture of wood pulp and ice is certainly innovative but??? See Project Habakkuk – Wikipedia

2 See Thames History at Rainham (londonriversidebid.co.uk) See also the excellent blog Rainham Marsh Concrete Barges – Beyond the Point and also 16 Ships Made Of Concrete, Hiding In The Thames | Londonist

3 untitled (rspb.org.uk) This shows you the circular walks which are available