Coldridge Devon
On 27th November 1919 the people of the Parish of the church of St Matthew in Coldridge, Devon, unveiled a memorial clock on the tower to the 6 local men who gave their lives in the Great War  
The unveiling of a tablet bearing the names of the men, and the setting of  the clock in motion were performed by Mrs. Lambert, who was accompanied by her husband, the Right Hon. George Lambert M.P. for the South Molton Division. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a large congregation, including all classes and sections of the community.
By a well-known Croydon firm, the clock has a double dial, one facing south and the other west, each dial having a diameter of 6ft. A brass tablet also placed inside the church, has the following inscription:   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/047zKv31z3">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/047zKv31z3</a>
&quot;1919. Peace Memorial
The clock in the church tower was erected by the present and former parishioners of Coldridge to commemorate those who, counting not their lives dear unto them, died for their country in the Great War, 1914 - 1919
Private George Parker, 11th Devons
Corporal Herbert Richards, 3rd Devons
Private Sam Sloman (Phillips), Australian Imperial Force
Stoker John Vernon, HMS Indefatigable
Private Ernest George Wilson, 5th Dorsets
Private John Kelland Webber, 3rd Devons&quot;

The impressive service was conducted by Rev. R. Dickinson Price, Vicar of Coldridge, the dedication being performed by the Rev. W. J. Bradford, Rector of Chawleigh. Just prior to its commencement Mrs. and Mrs. Lambert were met at the church porch by the Vicar, who is chairman of the Memorial Committee, Messrs. F. W. Harris (Treasurer) W. Rounsley (secretary) and R. Brealy, and conducted to a pew specially reserved for them. 
The clock was set to be started at one minute to three, and a few minutes earlier Mrs. Lambert was conducted to the belfry by Mr. John Harris, Vicar's Warden, preceded by the officiating clergy and followed by members of the Memorial Committee. The hymn &quot;Lest we forget&quot; having been sung, the congregation meanwhile turning towards the belfry, the Vicar, on behalf of the Committee, invited Mrs. Lambert to start the clock. this she did by severing a cord which set the pendulum free. She used for the purpose a pair of scissors presented to her by Mr. Harris and on the enclosing case of which was inscribed  &quot;To Mrs. George Lambert, on the occasion of her setting in motion the Memorial Clock, Coldridge, 27th November, 1919.&quot;

There ensued a minute's complete silence till the house struck in resonant tones the hour, when Rev. W.  J. Bradford offered a prayer of dedication. The procession then moved to the north aisle for the unveiling of the tablet, Mrs. Lambert being escorted there by Mr. W. Luxton, the People's Warden. The tablet was unveiled by Mrs. Lambert drawing aside two national flags, representing both arms of the Service, the men whose names the memorial bore having belonged to the navy and Army. The inscription and names recorded upon it having been read aloud, and the tablet dedicated by the Rev. W. J. Bradford, Tennyson's hymn, &quot;Crossing the Bar&quot; was sung. Then followed a deeply impressive address by the rector of Chawleigh, at the conclusion of which another special hymn &quot;Evening and Morning&quot; was rendered, the service concluding with the Blessing. Miss A. Harris presided at the organ during the service.
A public tea was laid in the schoolroom. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert sat at a table presided over by Mrs. Price. 
After tea, the Vicar proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lambert for their presence that day, and for the part Mrs. Lambert had taken in the memorial service - this was seconded by Mr. R. Brealy.&quot;

This was a feat made possible through the generosity of public subscription by the parishioners who raised £270 to pay for the clock itself and its installation - that’s just over the sum of £17,000 in today’s money!
Some 103 years later in 2023 and despite regular maintenance and care over the years, the clock’s timekeeping had become erratic. On inspection it was now apparent that the time has come to undertake major restoration of the clock’s mechanism including the replacement of several of the original mechanical parts.  The cost to complete the restoration work required to enable the re-starting of this much loved and historically important clock is estimated to be in the region of £3,500.   Any monies raised over the eventual cost of this restoration work will be put to beneficial use and the upkeep of the Church through the St Matthew’s Church Fabric Fund.
By 18th December 2023 £1,570 was raised with 25 supporters in 28 days
<a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/st-matthews-coldridge-memorial-clock" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/st-matthews-coldridge-memorial-clock</a>
Picture with thanks - copyright Michael Garlick CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7642873" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7642873</a>  <a href="https://www.devonheritage.org/Places/Coldridge/DedicationofColdridgeWarMemorial1919.htm" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.devonheritage.org/Places/Coldridge/DedicationofColdri...</a>
coldridge church devon