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Articles
About the Project
"THE
DOVER WAR MEMORIAL PROJECT" by Marilyn Stephenson-Knight
The Town Memorial outside the Council
Offices at Maison Dieu House is a familiar sight. But what does
it mean? Who are the people listed there and what did they do?
This is what the Dover War Memorial Project
aims to find out. Born, aptly, on Remembrance Sunday, 2005, the
Project is tracing the histories of the over eight hundred
casualties of the two World Wars named on the Memorial. Many of
their relatives have already offered information, photographs,
and artefacts. Other people have offered information from their
own research interests. Ultimately the full results will be
published. In the meantime, while research continues, we’re
producing articles, exhibitions, and booklets, along with
preliminary web pages, so that information is available as soon
as possible.
While we remember and honour those who
fought for us, we also look toward the future by creating
educational resources for our younger generations. We’re
involved with our present day too – the Project has co-hosted
events, helped strengthen cross-channel relationships, and
participated in local initiatives. Movingly we’ve also been able
to assist with family queries, providing extra information about
casualties and combatants, and even locating graves.
The Town War Memorial was erected by and
for those who had suffered devastating loss. But it was erected
too for those who would come afterwards. The bronze figure was
to convey the triumph of the spirit over hardship and suffering,
while the whole monument was intended to speak of simple virtue
and self-sacrifice without search of reward. As those who
created the Memorial themselves pass on the memories and maybe
the meanings fade. So it’s up to us now to ensure that why the
Memorial was built is never forgotten. It’s also up to us to
make sure that the vision for the future is fulfilled. The Dover
War Memorial Project has the honour of being part of that
charge.
This article first appeared in the Dover
Grammar School for Girls Newsletter for
October 2006
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