Memorial 9 in the series….

The parish church of St Matthew Blackmoor just south of Borden, contains an exceptionally large and impressive marble War Memorial, beautifully inscribed and full of detail. In the chancel can be seen another interesting memorial to Capt Robert Palmer of the 6th Hampshire Regiment. He was killed on January 21 1916 at the battle of Um-el-Hannah in Mesopotamia. He was the son of the second Lord Selborne who lived in the parish.

As a further tribute to his son the grief stricken Lord Selborne in the early 1920’s erected a special memorial (or War Shrine) for the children of Blackmoor about 100 yards from the west door of the church. It is three sided of rectangular shape with covered porticos and various inscriptions on the interior wall. There is also a central water fountain with the names of the war dead inscribed underneath. Above is another inscription “Remember children the Glory and the Sadness of War, the courage of the men and the Sorrow and suffering of all the people”.

Under the portico to the left can be seen a rather strange inscription entitled WAR.

“In the hand of the Lord there is a cup and the wine is red. It is full mixed and he poureth out the same. As for the dregs thereof all the ungodly of the earth shall drink them and lap them up.”

On the right hand side of the fountain is another memorial entitled PEACE.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Acquaint thyself with God and speak Peace thereby God shall come unto them. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.”

There is also a separate plaque commemorating his son Captain Robert Palmer whilst the names of the Second World War casualties can be seen on the right hand wall.

Lord Selborne himself served as President of the Board of Agriculture in the Asquith Coalition Cabinet formed in May 1915. He is buried in the churchyard.

John Symonds

Autumn Edition 2012

The War Shrine, Blackmoor, Hants