The last resting place of tragic naval cadets

I will not mention the film made here, as I am not talking about weddings or funerals, but this week remind you the church hosts its annual carol service, that you might like to attend, tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.

The church is managed by P&G (Procter & Gamble). A dedicated group of retired workers from our soap factory keeps it clean and tidy and is trying to open it as often as possible.

If you have time to arrive early, there are many monuments to be seen in the ancient church, including a memorial dedicated: “Sacred to the memory of the brave men who died for you in the Great War” – in fact, to 67 fallen servicemen of West Thurrock.

In the cemetery, another First World War period memorial can be discovered in daylight. It is the mass grave to the 16 cadets, aged between 13 and 18, and officer Edward Lane of the Training Ship Cornwall, moored off Purfleet.

They were not classed as on military service, so not afforded a War Graves Commission headstone. They were run down by a larger boat while out rowing on August 30, 1915. P&G ensured a replacement headstone was made when the original broke up and the names were lost.

Memorial to cadets who died in 1915

Further information on open days, visits, tours and history can be found at stclementwthurrock.co.uk

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