Known in earlier times as the Kensington and Chelsea Cottage
Homes, the residential school was sited along Fir Tree Road, Nork. In later
years it was known as Beechholme.
The memorial pictured on the right was erected to remember the young men and
staff from the school who gave their lives for their country in
The Great War. More details and a full list of all the men are included in
a small booklet available for download here.
In 1975 the
memorial was bulldozed by the developers who built the High Beeches Estate,
and all record of the men was lost for over thirty years until BHRG
Secretary, Ralph Maciejewski, found a list of the names at the Surrey
History Centre.
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Ted Bond, a long-standing BHRG member, single-handedly campaigned to get a new memorial plaque erected to remember these men, obtaining funds from the local community and the local council. The Banstead History Research Group made up the shortfall to enable the memorial to be erected. The service was well attended and was conducted by the Rev. Jane Cresswell who was pleased to welcome a very special guest, Tony Sexton, an ex Beechholme boy. Details of the BHRG publication BEECHHOLME A Children's Village are available here. Photo shows Rev Jane blessing the new plaque. View the Roll of Honour and read the stories here. | |
 ABOVE: Tony Sexton ex-Beechholme boy was specially invited to attend the Dedication Service. BELOW: Ralph Maciejewski reading the names of the fallen.
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 ABOVE: (insert) The stone plaque located in the small Garden of Remembrance at the side of St Paul's Church in Warren Road, Nork. (main photo) Ted Bond with the Roll of Honour which will be permanently displayed at the back of the church. |
