Brigade Memorial Garden

The Church Lads’ & Church Girls’ Brigade Memorial Garden was a project undertaken by members of the then Brigade Association, a national support group. It is located next to the south wall of the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Its whole aim is summed up in a few simple words which appear on the dedication plaque as follows:

The Church Lads’ & Church Girls’ Brigade Memorial Garden was a project undertaken by members of the then Brigade Association, a national support group. It is located next to the south wall of the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Its whole aim is summed up in a few simple words which appear on the dedication plaque as follows:

The Garden was one of the first memorials to be created after the National Memorial Arboretum was opened to the general public in 2001. The Garden was dedicated on 22nd June 2002 by the Rt Rev Paul Barber, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells with many members and supporters present. Also dedicated during the ceremony was the Lectern Bible, donated by the Brigade Association, which had been used in the Chapel since Advent 2001.

In Times of War

It is estimated that around 50,000 Church Lads’ Brigade members and former members across the globe served in the First World War, during which many honours and distinctions were awarded including 21 Victoria Crosses. The Brigade contributed two Service Battalions, 16th and 19th, of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps whose members were initially comprised entirely of past and present members of the Brigade. Sadly, many of these young men were never to return home. it is acknowledged that many served in the Air forces and naval services plus the many other British Army regiments and corps. The St Martin’s Banner in Westminster Abbey was dedicated to their memory in 1921.

It is not recorded how many Brigade personnel served in the Second World War, nor the honours awarded, but we are aware that an additional Brigade lad posthumously received the VC in 1945.

Members also served on the Home Front in both world wars. In World War One bridges & waterworks were guarded against enemy agents plus messenger duties. They worked closely with Civil Defence organisations in World War Two and various others to support the local authorities, by providing bands for moral lifting civic events as just one example.

The Girls’ side of the movement was also occupied on the Home Front in both world wars, particularly with First Aid, carrying messages and even guiding soldiers through the capital to various railway stations.

More information can be found out about the Brigade’s history here.

In Times of Peace

The Brigade is undoubtedly a movement of the twentieth century. Many people have dedicated the whole of their lives to serving the Brigade mainly in times of peace, and the Garden is also dedicated to such people. It truly is a place to celebrate “the joy of knowing someone special.”

Symbolism

Many of the memorials at the Arboretum have some degree of symbolism and the Brigade Memorial Garden is no exception. Its design is the idea of Avril Scott, Emmanuel Gorton CLCGB Company. Having been offered a basic rectangular plot of land there was much work to be done but, with the help of contractors, the garden was levelled off and block paved pathways now take the form of a Christian cross. It is felt that our Memorial Garden should represent the past, present and future and we sum it up like this:

  • The Twenty Two Berberis Shrubs – These have been selected to represent the Brigade’s military past but more specifically, to represent our Victoria Cross recipients. This is because they are purple and similar in colour to the medal ribbons awarded to most VC recipients. i.e. The colour of valour.
  • The Pathways form a Christian Cross – This represents the Brigade’s present path through life.
  • The Two Rowan Trees – These represent the Brigade’s future because, as they grow, they will always be greater than the past.

The Two Benches

The garden originally had two rustic benches donated by the London Branch of the Brigade Association. After six years of valuable service these were replaced in 2008 by more modern benches with cast iron end frames, complete with the Brigade badge. The end frames are also painted rifle green to commemorate the uniform worn by the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

It should be noted that the berberis plants are of a variety that will not grow higher than 18 inches. This is to ensure that people sitting on the benches have an unrestricted view of the rest of the Arboretum. Although the Brigade is a Church of England organisation, its Memorial Garden is intended to be a place where people of all faiths and none will feel comfortable and welcome. We feel honoured to have been allocated such a wonderful location, which we see as an extension to the Chapel, where people can sit to relax and contemplate in the normally peaceful surroundings.

The Brigade is grateful to its many sponsors without whom the Memorial Garden would never have been created. Although there are no individual commemorations within, it is right that tribute is paid to Maynard Scott and Robin Bolton for the many hours they put into creating and maintaining the Garden.

In recent years, the Brigade has held its own annual Service of Remembrance in the Millennium Chapel and the Brigade Memorial Garden where wreaths are laid to honour the fallen. Those members of the Brigade family who have passed away in the preceding twelve months are also remembered by the reading of names. This service takes place on the first Saturday in November. All Brigade members are welcome to attend, but places must be pre-booked via NHQ.