Which New Forest memorial
shall I visit?
New Forest memorial sites are very varied - Rufus Stone, The Portuguese Fireplace, the Canadian War Memorial site and other World War One and World War Two sites -
it really depends on what you are interested in.
You can now add your personal memorial story to this page. Just carry on reading and then fill in the form at the bottom of the page. We all look forward to your story.
If you are really interested in the part the New Forest and its people played in World War Two and want to find out about airfields and WW2 memorials in particular, I've dedicated a whole page to them
World War Two and the New Forest
If it is distant history, back to the Medieval New Forest
history, then a visit to the Rufus Stone site is worthwhile.
You can see by the photos I've taken that the site
history is described on the three sided memorial.
When this royal murder (or accident - no one can
be sure) happened it must have been a truly stunning
event.
Not only for the royal family, but also for everyone in the New Forest - would there be repercussions in their lives as a result?
Here is the memorial information, you read each side.
1. Here stood an oak tree, on which an arrow shot by Sir Walter
Tyrell at a stag, glanced and struck King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, on the breast, of which he instantly died,
on the second day of August, Anno 1100.
2. King William the Second surnamed Rufus being slain, as before related, was laid in a cart, belonging to one Purkis, and drawn from hence, to Winchester, and buried in the cathedral church, of that city.
3. That the spot where an event so memorable might not
hereafter be forgotten;
the enclosed stone was set up by John Lord Delaware who had seen the tree growing in this place.
This stone having been much mutilated, and the inscriptions on each of its three sides defaced, this more durable memorial with the original inscriptions was erected in the year 1841,
by Wm Sturges Bourne - Warden
The Purkis family (who owned the cart and transported the body)
still live on the New Forest.
This is where I found information
on the Purkis family
and picked up more details on the Rufus Stone.
I read
more information about the New Forest Rufus Stone memorial
and the man accused of the causing the death of Rufus -whether murder or accident!
World War 1 (WW1) and World War 2 (WW2) memorial sites:
Other New Forest memorial sites include areas where the First World War and
Second World War had a great impact on the New Forest.
Many overseas casualties of World War 1 are buried within the New Forest National Park.
At St Nicholas' Church in Brockenhurst there are around 100 graves of
soldiers who were amongst thousands injured in France during World War 1.
They were brought for treatment at Brockenhurst Hospital during wartime.
The graves are cared for by the Imperial War Commission.
Included in graves within St Nicholas' churchyard are:
- 93 New Zealand soldiers
- 1 Austalian soldier
- 3 Indian soldiers
One Indian soldier who lost his life during WW1 was
Sukha
you can find out more about his poignant WW1 epitaph and the New Zealand soldiers in Brockenhurst, if you want - it's a really
thought provoking memorial.
World War 2 memorial sites include:
The Canadian War Memorial Site
This is a very poignant site, it is near Bolderwood and just before you
go under the A31 towards Linwood, on the right handside.
It is a New Forest memorial to those killed in action during World War 2.
A simple wooden cross stands in an enclosed area. There are usually
poppies, wreaths, flowers, cards and personal messages to those who fell
in action.
The plague reads
"On this site a cross was erected to the Glory of God on April 14th 1944.
Services were held here until D Day 6th June 1944
by men of the 3rd Division R.C.A.S.C.
The cross was erected on the same day (14th April) as my wedding anniversary,
and that makes it quite special to me too.
I found out a lot more here on New Forest memorials
Land and buildings within the New Forest National Park were appropriated
during the Second World War. These included The Balmer Lawn Hotel.
General Eisenhower and General Montgomery used it as headquarters for planning the
D-Day invasion of Europe in 1944.
It looks a lot different today
Prior to the D-Day invasion of Europe .
the New Forest was used as a massive
area (3,500 hectares) for troop training. This included: military training,
airfields, and bombing and explosive ranges.
Some of the impact of this Second World War legacy is still seen on the
New Forest today.
Charcoal burning
During World War 2 much more charcoal was needed, to provide absorbers
for gas masks!
Local timber was burnt to make this charcoal, and alder was used if
particularly fine charcoal was needed.
New Forest charcoal during World War 2 helped to make around
40 million gas respirators!
I'm amazed there is still a New Forest National Park - aren't you?
The Portuguese Fireplace
This World War 1 New Forest memorial stands where the site of
a camp cookhouse used to be.
Labour became scarce during WW1 and a Portuguese army unit who
were working within the Canadian Timber Corps were used
to fell mature New Forest timber for the war effort.
I have visited this site and think it is a lovely New Forest
memorial, and again shows how the New Forest contributed so
heavily during World War One and World War Two. I found the New Forest National Parks Authority had some very interesting
information.
You may want to delve further and find out more
If you want to search New Forest Life.com without using the navigation bars on the left, then here's a really useful Google tool.
Just put your search details e.g. New Forest memorials in the search box and hit Search and you can choose to search my site or go onto the Web and come back to NewForest-Life.com.
Do you have a great WW2 memory you can share?
WW2 memories are heartfelt, poignant and very personal. Some of them can be funny - have you got one to share?
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