FEPOW Memorial Altar - St Mary and St Helen's Church, Elstow, Bedfordshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 52° 06.893 W 000° 28.171
30U E 673260 N 5776836
This special memorial can be found in the memorial Bunyan Chapel inside the church of Elstow. It is a fitting tribute to FEPOW in a very fitting place.
Waymark Code: WMC7TQ
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/05/2011
Views: 1
A Service of Remembrance was held on Sunday 5th May 1957 at 3pm by the Far East Prisoners of War Club, here at Elstow church. This was the date the memorial altar was dedicated and a service was led by The Reverend Peter Hartley, M.A. who was a FEPOW himself.
Also contributing and assisting during the ceremony were The Reverend R.L. Richards, M.A. - President of Bedford Free Church Council; and The Chaplain in Chief, R.A.F. The Reverend Canon A.S. Giles, C.B.E., M.A., who was Chaplain to H.M. The Queen; both were also FEPOWs.
Many local men from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment became FEPOWs and it is the Bedford and District Branch of the Far East Prisoners of War Association who meet here every year to remember their comrades.
The altar itself stands in front of a wooden screen with the following inscription:
'My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who will now be my rewarder.
So he passed over; and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.'
These are quotes from John Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress.
In the centre is the main dedication:
'In memory of
THOSE WHO DIED IN PRISON CAMPS IN THE FAR EAST 1941-45
AND IN THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE WHO RETURNED
(Bedford & District Far East Prisoner of War Club 5th May 1957)'
On the altar cloth is the FEPOW Club insignia and the hassocks also display the logo with the name of Charles Newton and FEPOW. Poppy wreaths are displayed behind. The whole area is a very poignant place of remembrance and long may it remain so.
Type of Resource: Memorial
Other from above - Please Specify: Altar
Date if Relevant: 05/05/1957
Relevant Position in Armed Forces:
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and all FEPOW
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Nationality: Not listed
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