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The War Memorial, Quorn
Newly erected after the first World War, the memorial looks stark in contrast to how it appears today. A temporary memorial existed before the permanent one. Upon it's unveiling Major Brockington spoke these poignant words in December 1917:
"I declare this war memorial open. Henceforth this spot of earth will be sacred to the memory of those, our sons and brothers, who have died that England may live. Perhaps in the course of time this temporary memorial which the wise forethought of our dear friend and neighbour has erected here will be replaced by a permanent memorial to the men of Quorn who have passed from our earthly regard, but whose spirit still lives with us. But certain it is that no more fitting or more beautiful memorial that this of Mr Pick's will stand here. It is just what we want - in simplicity and purity of design matching the simplicity and purity which should reign in our hearts as we pass this spot. No soldier will pass this spot without saluting his dead comrades. No father, brother, wife or sister, though their hearts be bowed with grief, will pass this spot without an uplifting of the spirit, and she whose burden of sorrow is heaviest of all will lift up her heart with pride in the son she bore and gave to her country in her country's direst need. As for me, most of the names on this memorial are those of old boys of Leicestershire schools. I tried to be with them at the first, and my highest hope is that even mow I may do something which is worthy of the sacrifice they had made. I declare this war memorial open, and I proclaim this spot of earth in Quorn sacred to and hallowed by the memory of our sons and brothers who have fought and died for us."
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