Jane Turner on the Compton War Memorial one hundred years after it was unveiled.

This year sees the centenary of the unveiling of Compton War Memorial in April 1922. Designed by Mary Watts to commemorate the men of Compton who died in WW1, it was worked by A & G Avery of Farncombe at Limnerslease, under the supervision of Mary Watts, and is made of Grey York Stone.

There was “nothing but praise” from the parish when it was unveiled in the presence of 300 spectators. Funds were raised to install the lamp, which would be lit every night during the winter months and would be the responsibility of the village.

After the WW2, a plaque was placed behind the Memorial to include the names of the men who died in both conflicts.

In 2018, the Memorial was refurbished to a very high standard by the Parish Council, with the help of a grant from the War Memorials Trust. As part of the repairs, a beautiful Arts & Crafts copper lantern was donated by Chris Sharples and this is now alight every hour of darkness throughout the year.

The memorial can be seen at the bottom of the path leading up to St Nicholas Church from The Street.