GREAT BRITAIN: The Church and the River

Kirk Bramwith is a Yorkshire village snuggled around a little Norman church on the bank of the River Don. War took away all but 70 of its 200 peacetime inhabitants. Those who stayed wanted a memorial to those who had gone for good. They raised the money, bought a small window for the church. The inscription: “Given in gratitude for the North African victory in May, 1943, and in memory of the men of the United Nations who gave their lives in the liberation of the African Continent.”

Illustrious men came to Kirk Bramwith for the unveiling. J. G. Groeninger, an American in the consular service, drew aside the Union Jack which covered the window. Captain the Rev. R. Whincup, the village rector, stood under the Stars & Stripes to read a message from the King. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Ernest Brown made a speech. General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery saluted the village spirit.

A letter came to a Kirk Bramwith mother from her son, far from home with the British Eighth Army. Said he: “When I close my eyes I can see the church and the river. I hope it looks just the same.”