St Matthew's Coldridge Memorial Clock

Aim

To raise funds for the repair and restoration of the Coldridge Parish WWI Memorial Clock sited in St Matthew's Church Coldridge, Devon.

On 27th November 1919 the people of the Parish of Coldridge, Devon, unveiled a Memorial to the 6 men who gave their lives in the Great War  –  a Memorial Clock installed in the tower of the 13th Century Parish church of St Matthew’s, Coldridge. This was a feat made possible through the generosity of public subscription by the parishioners of Coldridge who raised £270 to pay for the clock itself and its installation - that’s just over the sum of £17,000 in today’s money!

Some 103 years later, and despite regular maintenance and care over the years, the clock’s timekeeping has become erratic. On inspection it is now apparent that the time has come to undertake major restoration of the clock’s mechanism including the replacement of several of the original mechanical parts.

The cost to complete the restoration work required to enable the re-starting of this much loved and historically important clock is estimated to be in the region of £3,500. 

Any monies raised over the eventual cost of this restoration work will be put to beneficial use and the upkeep of the Church through the St Matthew’s Church Fabric Fund.

Thank you for your support.

------

Extract from The Western Times, Friday 28th November 1919

Coldridge Peace Memorial

The clock in the church tower was installed by present and former parishioners of Coldridge to commemorate those who, counting not their lives dear unto them, died for their country in the Great War, 1914 – 1919.

• Private George Parker, 11th Devons
• Corporal Herbert Richards, 3rd Devons
• Private Sam Sloman (Phillips), Australian Imperial Force
• Stoker John Vernon, HMS Indefatigable
• Private Ernest George Wilson, 5th Dorsets
• Private John Kelland Webber, 3rd Devons

------

This project successfully funded on 18th December 2023