Dickinson Memorial Cross

This page about the Dickinson Memorial Celtic Cross and the about the whereabouts of the memorial after the closure of Dickinson's Mill, its ownership by Pete Gardner and its ultimate demise.

1978 November 9th

A cold damp day saw the rededication of the memorial cross at Dickinson Mill. A short service was conducted by Rev. Alfred Conway vicar of All Saints Church and Rev. Dennis Morgan vicar of St. Oswald's

Re-dedication of the memorial on 8th November 1978

Dickinson Memorial with the Celtic Cross (Date Unknown)

1980 December

Dickinson Mill closed and the dismantling and clearing of the site was started. Nothing is known as to the transfer of the memorial cross to All Saints Church but we know that the brass plaque in the picture above is on the wall outside All Saints Church and for at least two years the Celtic Cross memorial lay broken beside the brass plaque at All Saints Church.

1993 November

We have to assume that Pete, as an avid collector of war memorabilia had noticed the memorial in disrepair and had talked to his wife Margaret about it and as a surprise to Pete, his wife Margaret bought the memorial cross from All Saints Church as a Christmas present to Pete.

We have to further assume that the memorial cross was damaged when moved to All Saints church or was less likely, vandalised whilst at All Saints church but it was in a state of disrepair for a long time and had been noticed by Pete Gardner.

1994 June

c1994 to c2012

For many years the memorial cross was kept in the hedgerow of Pete's house (209 New Road) and the garden that was opposite the library on Barton Way that can be seen in the photograph above. Through his love of all things military, Pete was keen to collect and protect assets of the community but also kept his respect of the fallen and did a lot of charity work. Pete also owned a aeroplane cockpit and took it to charity days to raise money and it also made appearances at the Revels much to the excitement of visiting children.

c2012

Around the time of 2012 Pete had decided to make his life in Vietnam permanent and so wanted to make sure that the Dickinson memorial cross was in "safe keeping" for future residents to look at. You can see from the photos below where the original damage was that was repaired by Hempsall's Funeral Directors in Harewood Road, Watford.

During COVID

We now enter the time in the sad demise of the Dickinson memorial cross. "Allegedly" the Dickinson memorial cross was moved during renovations taking place during COVID and was damaged with the top of the memorial cross breaking into pieces. The plinth and broken pieces were moved and alas, the broken top of the memorial cross has disappeared never to be seen again leaving a sad end to a piece of Croxley Green history that Pete Gardner saved, treasured and moved in hope of its future safety and security.