The Queen’s Shrine, Croydon Parish Church

Croydon Parish Church

The Memorial or Shrine

The memorial takes the form of an oak Screen across the Tower Arch. The Screen has a wide central compartment forming the entrance, the head being filled with pierced tracery and carved work; the compartment on either side have similar work in the heads with the lower part filled with solid panels. Above the entrance is a panel containing the Paschal Lamb (the Regimental badge) on the side facing the Church, and on the reverse side the Royal Cipher of Charles II. And Catherine of Braganza within the ribbon of the Garter; below these, the Regimental mottoes are carved in raised letters. Above the top line of the Screen on moulded pedestals are figures of the four Patron Saints – S. George, S. Andrew, S. David and S. Patrick. The opening is flanked on either side with carved buttresses on which stand small figures of an officer and man of the Regiment in service kit. The Memorial inscription forms a margin round the marble paved threshold and consists of a bronze plate with the lettering, etc., richly executed in white metal. Above the screen are suspended the Colours of the 4^th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (TA). The work was carried out from the designs of Mr. C. M. Oldrid Scott, Architect, the Screen and paving being the work of Mr. A. Robinson, of 4, Bennett’s Yard, Marsham Street, Westminster, while the inscription plate was by Messrs Blunt & Wray, 70, Salusbury Road, Kilburn.

Dedication of the Memorial took place on the 5th November 1922 with the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Surrey, Colonel, The Right Honorable The Lord Ashcombe CB, TD in attendance.

The Dedication was performed by The Venerable The Archdeacon of Canterbury, Canon LT White-Thomson MA and The Service was conducted by the Vicar, The Rev WPG McCormick DSO, MA, RD.

The then Colonel of the Regiment, General Sir Charles C Monro GCMG, KCB, ADC and Lieutenant General Sir ER Elles GCIE, KCB were also present.

During the Service the Kings Colour of the 2/4^th Battalion and the 3/4^th Battalion were laid up. The two Commanding Officers’ being Colonel FD Watney CBE, TD DL and Lieutenant Colonel KA Oswald DSO.

The Shrine was established in the Church through the dedication and drive of an ex-member of the 4^th Bn The Queen’s Royal Regiment. Sgt Harry Mann and his brother served in the 2/4^th Battalion through the Great War. In 1925 as a police officer he compiled a list of all members of the 2/4^th Battalion and became Secretary of their association. He was awarded the MBE in 1976 for his services to the association.

The 4^th Battalion The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

The battalion was formed in 1859 as the 2^nd Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps, its members being drawn from the Croyden, Crystal Palace and Caterham areas. Redesignation as the 1^st Volunteer Battalion, Queen’s Regiment was in 1883 and 1900 a number of volunteers served with the regular 2^nd Battalion in South Africa. As the 1/4^th Queen’s and part of the 44^th (Home Counties) Division, the battalion sailed for India in October 1914. Before returning home it sent a draft to Mesopotamia, where it saw action, and in 1919 took part in the Third Afghan War.

Of the three additional battalions formed by the 4^th for war service, the 2/4^th saw action with the 53^rd (Welsh) Division at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. It later joined the 34^th Division and fought in France and Belgium. The 3/4^th also went to France, while the 4/4^th, later, 4^th (Reserve) Battalion remained at home with the Home Counties Reserve Brigade.

In 1938 the battalion was converted to an anti-aircraft role and in 1940 transferred to the Royal Artillery as 63^rd Searchlight Regiment. After several changes in role and designation the battalion became infantry again in 1961. It was amalgamated with the 5th and 6th Battalions, Queen’s to from the 3^rd Battalion, The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment.

 

The carved oak screen which is the main part of the Memorial Screen as you enter the Church.		View of the screen inside the church. The two carved figures of an officer and  soldier can be seen on either side of the carving.

 

The Church

Between the tower of the church and the nave is a carved oak screen which forms a memorial to the officers and men of the 4^th Bn The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment.

Carving of an officer in the uniform of the Great War.		Carving of a soldier of the Great War period with rifle and steel helmet..

 

The Colours

These are situated high up on the wall of the tower as you enter the church on the right.

 

 

On the left side of the church as you enter is a Roll of Honour of All men of Croydon
who gave their lives in the Great War. This Roll of Honour is executed on card, written in
copper-plate writing and is framed behind glass.

Beneath the Paschal Lamb carved on the screen and set into the floor is a brass inscription which reads :-

THIS SCREEN IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE OFFICERS
WARRANT OFFICERS : NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN OF
4TH BATTALION THE QUEEN’S (ROYAL WEST SURREY) REGIMENT
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

British guests at the ceremonies included General Forrester’s two sons, Simon and Nicholas, and his grandsons, Nick and James (the English and Gloucester rugby player), as well as General Forrester’s companion in later years Mrs Denise Patterson. Consul-General in Naples and Southern Italy, were amongst a party from the British diplomatic staff in Italy.

 

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