I recently acquired the postcard showed below which clearly says ‘Ongar Roll of Honour.’ I was not aware such roll existed, and as far as can be ascertained it is no longer in existence. This of course set me on a mission to find out about it.
Fortunately there were two references to the Roll of Honour in local papers:
Reported in the Chelmsford Chronicle 15 December 1916
A meeting was held in the Council School in December 1916 to consider whether to erect a ‘War Shrine’ to the memory of those men connected with the parish who are serving in H.M. Forces and those who have fallen.
The meeting was presided over by the Revd. E. Barber and after a discussion it was resolved to erect a shrine in the Market Place (subject to the approval of the surveyor). A committee was formed, consisting of;
Revd. Barber
Revd. G. F.White
Revd. Father Boyland
Col. C.H. Christie
Mrs Christie
Dr Wilson
Dr Ferguson
Mr F. M. Noble
Mr. H. E. Barnard, J.P
Mrs Ward
Miss B. Foster
Mr C. Rose
Mr. T. E. Rose
Miss Tanner
Mrs Barlow.
Mrs Charles Rose was appointed Hon Secretary.
The intention was for the committee to submit designs and report back to the meeting.
Reported in the Essex Newsman 19th May 1917
The Shrine was unveiled on Sunday 13th May 1917 and on it were inscribed the names of 250 men now serving, discharged, and dead from the Ongar district. The roll of honour was inscribed by a Miss Hadler, of Marden Ash.
In attendance at the unveiling were members of the local detachment of the Essex Volunteer Regiment, under Sergeant C. H. Foster. Also present were the Epping Platoon, under Lieutenant Baddeley, Waltham Abbey (Lt. Trounce), and Harlow (Lt. F. Jones); Grammar School Cadet Corps (Capt. Wildman); 23 Special Constables (Sgt. Merchant); 24 Boy Scouts (Ass. Scoutmaster F. H. Smith). Also present were some wounded soldiers. The band of the Hackney Homes, under Mr Dean, formed up in the square, and Colonel C. H. Christie was in command of the whole parade.
The unveiling was performed by Captain Howell J. Price, D.L. An impressive service was conducted by the Revd. Barber, the hymn, “O God our help in ages past,” being sung, accompanied by the band. The Revd. G. White, Congregational minister, took part in the service. The Rector (Revd Barber) dedicated the shrine, which was then handed over to the care of Sgt. C. Foster, as chairman of the Parish Council. Mr Christie gave a short address.
What is interesting is that the Roll of Honour was unveiled before the end of the Great War which is unusual. Was it ever updated as more reports of casualties were received? Perhaps someone can throw some light on this.