FAIRFIELD, BUXTON, MEMORIALS:
Records show that there has been a Church (and, therefore, a settlement) at Fairfield since the 13th Century, the first Chapel being built in 1260 as it was deemed: “… the village of Fairfield is so distant from its Parish Church of Hope, in winter time when the rain, snow and other bad weather abound in those parts that they cannot attend Church without peril of their bodies”.
Following a petition in 1815 the current Church, dedicated to St. Peter, [pictured above] was built in 1839, although it did not acquire full parochial rights from Hope until 1852.
(The etching of the old Fairfield Chapel [left] dates from 1811.)
…. about the History of Fairfield Church on the ‘Fallen of Fairfield‘ website page
The Church also has a large churchyard which contains the graves of 15 Great War and three World War 2 casualties who died either at home in Buxton, or in British Hospitals and were subsequently buried in their home Parish.
Buxton and Fairfield amalgamated in 1917 under the new Buxton Borough Council, before this Fairfield village was fully independent of Buxton for hundreds of years.
Unlike Buxton’s other suburban villages, there was no FAIRFIELD WAR MEMORIAL in the form of a free standing Monument until 2013 when Marion Wright, churchwarden at St Peter’s Church, began campaigning and fundraising for the memorial. In 2014 plans were proposed for marking the Great War Centenary with the erection of a suitable Memorial to the Fairfield War dead – see ‘Buxton Advertiser‘, 2nd February 2014.
At the outset of the memorial project Rev Carl Edwards, St Peter’s Church, Fairfield wrote: “We would like to honour those from Fairfield who gave their lives in conflict by having a war memorial in a prominent place which is easily accessible to the community. 2014 will mark the centenary of the outbreak of the first world war.
It would be appropriate to have a memorial in place ready to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Many fund raising events took place and the Project was a great success, culminating in the Dedication Ceremony, on 25th September 2016, led by Rev. Carl Edwards. (pictured above left). The Memorial cost about £8,000.
Since that date the village War Memorials now take three forms, plus one added, regrettably, in more recent times:
- New Village War Memorial on land outside St Peter’s Church;
- Stained Glass Window inside Fairfield Church;
- Memorial Brasses to the ‘Fallen’ – also inside St Peter’s Church, and
- Memorial Cross to Scott Taylor , killed in Afghanistan
- ….. plus, of course, the CWGC Graves and family Memorials in Fairfield Churchyard .
It seems, however, that when the Great War ended the Parish never had any intention of erecting a conventional Memorial in the village or churchyard. “A public meeting was held at the Church Institute on Thursday [28th November 1918 – i.e. just 17 days after the Armistice was signed]to discuss the placing of a stained glass window in the east-end of the Parish Church to the memory of the Fallen in the War. The meeting was presided over by the Vicar (Rev. E. L. Harkness, M.A.) [see Footnote below], who was supported by the churchwardens (Messrs. G.J.M. Headington and W.H. Barnes). …. ….
A small committee was appointed, with the Vicar acting as hon. secretary and treasurer, it is proposed to invite ladies of the parish to wait on residents with a view to soliciting donations. It is hoped that a liberal response will be the result, and that the proposal may be accomplished at no distant date.“
‘The Buxton Advertiser’ of the 15th July 1916 reported that the Brother of Rev. E. L. Harkness, Vicar of Fairfield Church – Captain Percy Yarborough Harkness, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own) – was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 – the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
The proposals were put to the Church Diocesan authority and on the 30th August 1919 ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ was able to report that: “… [the diocese had] issued a faculty for the placing of a memorial stained-glass window in the three lights at the east-end of the church. We understand that the work is progressing. The firm of Stained-glass window artists, Messrs. Gamon and Humphrey, of London, have sketched a design for the Grover Window, which, when completed, should be an enrichment to the sacred edifice.“
Unlike their colleagues across the town in Burbage, who took a very long time debating the nature and location of their Memorial, the Fairfield Memorial Committee acted swiftly to bring its plans to fruition.
‘The Buxton Advertiser’ of the 15th February 1919 read, alongside the picture [poor copy on the left]: “We have pleasure in presenting to our readers the design of the proposed stained-glass East Window which has been produced by Messrs. Gamon and Humphrey, of London, and has been accepted by the Committee at a cost of 300 guineas. [£315 which has a relative value of £14,500.00 to-day (2020)]
The response from the inhabitants of Fairfield and their friends has been remarkable and must be gratifying to the instigators of this memorial in the Parish Church of S. Peter.“
The same article went on to stress that: “… an additional expense will be incurred by the inscribing of the names of the fallen from this Parish on a Brass Tablet to be erected near the East Window. This being so, we are asked to state that the fund is not closed, and that liberal contributions are still being invited to meet the entire cost.”
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1. Fairfield Village War Memorial:
As stated above a Project was launched in 2013 to raise the funds for the erection of a new free standing War Memorial to commemorate the War dead of the village of Fairfield.
On 24 June 2016 Rev Carl Edwards, St Peter’s Church, Fairfield wrote: “Four years ago as we began to approach the centenary commemorations of the outbreak of WWI we felt that it would be appropriate to have a memorial outside, accessible to everyone, to serve as a focal point to remember 
the fallen and to provide an inspiration (for those who wish to do so), to pray for peace in our troubled world. Our original intent was to have something appropriate in place, in time for the centenary commemorations.
Although within St Peter’s Church Fairfield there is a memorial window and roll of honour listing the names of those who gave their lives in the two great wars of the twentieth century, there is no memorial anywhere else within the parish.
Burbage has a war memorial, Harpur Hill has a war memorial, Buxton has a war memorial, the surrounding villages have war memorials.
Although within St Peter’s Church Fairfield there is a memorial window and roll of honour listing the names of those who gave their lives in the two great wars of the twentieth century, there is no memorial anywhere else within the parish. Burbage has a war memorial, Harpur Hill has a war memorial, Buxton has a war memorial, the surrounding villages have war memorials.
We would like to honour those from Fairfield who gave their lives in conflict by having a war memorial in a prominent place which is easily accessible to the community. 2014 will mark the centenary of the outbreak of the first world war. It would be appropriate to have a memorial in place ready to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Clearly this aim could not be achieved, but the ultimate goal was finally achieved later that year and the new Memorial was dedicated in September 2016 (see above).
It bears the names of the “Fairfield Fallen” contained on the Memorials inside the Church – see below for names.
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2. St. Peter’s Church, Stained Glass Window:
Three weeks before the announcement quoted above, however, ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ of the 25th January 1919 had treated it readers to a detailed description of the window, and this is quoted here as it is just as appropriate today as it was then in describing the magnificent window that the people of Fairfield had purchased for their Memorial to their ‘Fallen‘:
“In the Central light, the Crucifixion is representing the Great Sacrifice with angels over the cross adoring. The Cross is situate in a desolate country, marked with shell-holes and ruins in the distance, the sunset on the horizon gives a note of colour across the light.
There is a border of thorns leafless and flowerless, until above the sunset when leaves and flowers would gradually appear, bursting into full blossom of roses.
Half way up the window is the text under the Crucifixion ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’.
In the panel below is depicted the delivered Jerusalem within a border of olive trees, and in the side lights S. George, S. Andrew, S. David and S. Patrick, as Patron Saints of the United Kingdom, with shield of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, over the respective figures within a border of intertwined roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks.
The panels below contain within borders of oak leaves, kneeling figures of the Allies – Soldiers, Sailors, a Red Cross Nurse and a Cardinal (Mercier). The Soldiers trailing their National Colours at the salute.
In the tracery, in the top panel, there is the Holy Dove with cherub heads below it, to link on to the Crucifixion. In the two cinque foil panels, within oak leaf borders the ‘Cross Keys’ emblem of St. Peter, to whom the Church is dedicated, and the badge of the Sherwood Foresters – the initials N. and D. (Notts and Derby) occur in the two small triangular pieces below – the other small pieces of tracery are filled with oak leaves and acorns.
The dedicatory inscription runs along the bottom of the window, and is as follows: ‘To the glory of God and in lasting memory of the men of this Parish who gave their lives for their country in the Great War, 1914 – 1919.‘
The details of the lower panels are shown below – as is – on the right – an often missed tiny detail – the depiction of a Great War aircraft, incorporated just to the left of the Crucifixion scene in the central light.
Just over year later, on the 28th February 1920, ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ reported on the unveiling of the window and the brass tablet (see below), which took place the previous day, Friday, the 27th February 1920.
The Service began with the Hymn: “For all the saints who from their labours rest“, followed by the Psalm: “I was glad when they said unto me: We will go unto the House of the Lord“. The Vicar, speaking from the Sanctuary, dedicated the Memorials to: “… the lasting memory of those from this Parish who made the Supreme Sacrifice“.
After the Collect, said by the Bishop of Derby, and more prayers, the names of the 72 men on the Roll of Honour were read, after a short prayer of dedication the Bishop, Dr Abraham. ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ went on to report that the Church was packed, with many who could not find a seat in the porch and at the rear of the Church.
The Memorial window itself was: “… covered by a handsome silk flag, supplied by Mr R. Coddington, J.P. of Bennetston Hall.“. Also present for the dedication were the Marquis of Hartington (left); the Mayor and members of the Borough Council; Clergy from the other Buxton Parishes, and many other local “.. persons of note“.
At 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 11th November 2014 there was a service of re-dedication of the Memorial East Window. In what was reported to be a beautiful, poignant service the window was be re-dedicated by The Rt. Revd. Alastair Redfern, The Bishop of Derby.
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3. St. Peter’s Church, Brass Memorial Plaques:
As stated above ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ of the 15th February 1919, when reporting the proposals for the Stained Glass Window, added: “… an additional expense will be incurred by the inscribing of the names of the fallen from this Parish on a Brass Tablet to be erected near the East Window. This being so, we are asked to state that the fund is not closed, and that liberal contributions are still being invited to meet the entire cost.“
Clearly, this cost was met as the inscribed brass plaque was unveiled, along with the stained glass window Memorial, on the 27th February 1920. 25 years later, at the end of the Second World War, a matching tablet bearing the names of the Parish War dead was also engraved and mounted alongside the earlier one, near the Memorial Window.
The Great War tablet records 72 names, all of whom are also commemorated on the Town Memorial. After the Second World War was added it showed that 36 men of the Parish died in that conflict.
The Service histories of the Great War and World War 2 casualties can be accessed via the alphabetical index at the top of the page or CLICKING the name in the relevant Table below.
The names on the Great War Memorial Plaque are:
N.B. Those whose names are marked ¤ are buried in Fairfield Churchyard.
The names on the Second World War Memorial Plaque are:
ROLL OF HONOUR IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE WAR 1939 ~ 1945
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE |
*** Pte. Roy PORTER has no CWGC entry. Roy returned home after a long period in German p.o.w. camps and, after discharge from the Army, died of ‘Addison’s disease‘ on 17th November 1946 and was buried in Fairfield Churchyard.
His brother, named as “Sgt. Albert Ernest PORTER”, was in fact “W.O. III Albert Ernest KITCHEN“, i.e. Roy’s half-brother, born before their mother’s marriage.
N.B. Those whose names are marked ¤ are buried in Fairfield Churchyard.
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4. Memorial Cross to Marine Scott Taylor:
The photograph on the right shows the altar of St Peter’s Church bearing the cross made in memory of Marine Scott Taylor who died in an explosion on Sunday 30th May 2010 while on foot patrol near Sangin with Alpha Company, 40 Commando. The cross is made from spent shells from the conflict. Scott’s parents loaned the cross to the Church for a time of Remembrance.
At the time the Church published: “There is something deeply poignant about weapons being used to create a symbol of peace and reconciliation. It serves to remind us of the bible verse: ‘…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ (Isaiah 2:4).“
The window in the background is Fairfield’s War Memorial. It bears the text ‘Greater love hath no man than this… that he lay down his life for his friends.‘
Scott was brought home from Afghanistan, and after a funeral with full Military Honours he now lies alongside the other War dead in Buxton Cemetery.
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5. Fairfield Churchyard:
The Churchyard surrounding St. Peter’s Church, Fairfield, contains the graves of 15 Great War and three Second World War casualties, who succumbed to their injuries or illnesses and were buried in their local community. In addition, a number of family graves bear reference to their fallen relatives with inscriptions on the headstone.
Ten of the World War 1 fallen are also named on the Brass Plaque Memorial inside the Church. These are:
The above names are also on the Town Memorial on The Slopes, Buxton, and their family and Service histories can be accessed either through the alphabetical index at the top of the page, or by clicking on the highlighted name above.
Also buried in the Churchyard are five other Great War casualties, who because of their dates of death were not included in the Town and local Memorials:
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- Dr. 224769 Joseph BLACKWELL, ‘B’ Battery, Royal Field Artillery (189th Brigade) – died 22nd November 1920. [N.B. NOT to be confused with Cpl. John BLACKWELL, Sherwood Foresters Regiment, commemorated on the Fairfield Memorial]
- Pt. 35564 Henry Ettling CRESSWELL, aged 19, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, died 9th October 1920
- Capt. Thomas Graeme DICKSON, aged 53, Royal Army Medical Corps, died 27th April 1920
- Pt. 5820861 Alfred Victor JODRELL, Suffolk Regiment, died 27th June 1921, and
- Pt. 36134 Alfred RILEY, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, died 14th December 1920. [N.B. NOT to be confused with Pt. Arthur RILEY, Machine Gun Corps, commemorated on the Fairfield Memorial]
Even though not on the Town Memorials, these brave men have also been commemorated on this site and their personal and Service details can be accessed in the usual way – either through the alphabetical index at the top of the page, or by clicking on the highlighted name above
The three Second World War burials in the Churchyard are:
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- Pt. 4134324 Sidney LEE, 8th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, died 12th March 1941;
- Sgt. W/283948 Maud Joyce LOBLEY, aged 31, Auxiliary Territorial Service, died 25th April 1946; and
- Pilot Officer J/5140 John Kenneth ROBERTS, aged 19, Royal Canadian Air Force, died 18th July 1941.
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Sources:
- ‘The Buxton Advertiser’ – 30 November 1918; 25 January and 15 February 1919; 30 August 1919; 2 February 2014
- “WW1 ‘Fallen’ of Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire” contains more details on the background of Fairfield’s war dead
