War memorial. 1919-20. Perpendicular style memorial arch to commemorate former pupils of Ascham St Vincent's School who lost their lives in the First World War. Built of red brick in English bond with sandstone dressings. About 30 feet high and 25 feet wide. Comprises four-centred arch with pediment above flanked by wide brick and stone piers with brick and stone buttresses. Pediment has stone inscription having border with carved floral emblems and central wreath with inscription "In memory of 49 gallant men who were at school here in their early boyhood and gave their lives in the service of their country during the Great War of 1914-19. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them." The spandrels to the arch are carved with shield and floral motifs. The obverse side is plainer with an inscription reading "They went with songs to the battle, they were young Straight of limb, true of eye steady and aglow They were stanch (sic) to the end against odds uncounted They fell with their faces to the foe." The sides have stone pointed arched tablets with the names of the fallen. A worn inscription to the base of southernmost pier records that the stone was laid by the mayor of Eastbourne in 1819. The remainder of the school has been demolished.
The Boys on the Arch
The First World War through a Memorial Gateway
by Liz Moloney
Published by Eastbourne Local History Society 2018
268 pp with 100 b/w illustrations
This book tells the stories of the 51 men of Ascham, St Vincent’s and the combined Ascham St Vincent’s prep school who died in the First World War, from the cavalry officer killed in 1914 to the influenza pandemic of 1918. Using the school Chronicle’s accounts of their schooldays, war records, newspapers and letters, it also reveals how the war affected the school and how the Memorial Gateway, now called the Ascham Arch, was planned and built by the school to commemorate its old boys.
The author is offering it here at the much reduced price of £7.50 (+ p & p if required, but we may be able to arrange collection). Please contact Liz on lizmoloney41@gmail.com if you are interested, and mention you saw it here.
10% from each sale via the site goes to the MCA
