New Malden VC Plaques

We have now reached our target and so do not expect further donations, unless of course, you want to contribute and in so doing assist with the additional items as set out in our clarifications below.  

Many thanks for the large donations from Waitrose and Northrup Grumman Sperry Marine (previously Racal Decca.), the Rotary Club, The Golf Club and various golfing members.

Many thanks to all and please attend the unveiling on Sunday 31st March at 10.45 am for 11.00 am prompt start, at the War Memorial.

Kind regards
Julian



The Victoria Cross is awarded for 'Gallantry in the presence of the enemy'. Gallantry is not 'Bravery'!  It is  where, despite your knowing that the task is onerous, perhaps dangerous, you make the decision to continue -despite the risk to yourself- because the action is, in your heart and mind,  absolutely necessary. 

New Malden is one of only four towns in the world that has 3 Victoria Cross recipients recognised on its war memorial.

The other three towns have  prominent memorials to the recipients, in addition to the town's War Memorial,  and  people in the town  or visiting can read what their individuals did 'above and beyond the call of duty'.   

Sadly, New Malden is currently the only town of the four without any  dedicated memorial to its Victoria Cross recipients and it is now time (and long, long overdue) that these men, who each selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice, are recognised and are commemorated in sight of the War Memorial. 

Our aim is to mount 4 plaques commemorating the 3 VCs on the wall of Waitrose (who has given permission)  such that people, young and old, can stop, read, think and then turn to consider the others on the memorial who also gave their lives that we can live as we do today - freely.

The fourth plaque is to respectfully acknowledge in general, ALL others, civilians, essential services from Maldens and Coombe who too have served the Borough and who, in so doing, have sadly also paid the ultimate price in troubles, conflicts, war and in peace.

Maldens and Coombe Heritage Society (who will be responsible for the monies) have produced a booklet 'We knew you were coming' (£5.00 plus postage ) telling the story of each of our 3 V.C.s  (available from our website)  but we would dearly like to erect these plaques  whilst close family members of the recipients are alive. 

We had aimed for Remembrance Day but an eight week Planning Application requirement has prevented this. We are there aiming to have the plaques unveiled in March on the 75th Anniversary of the gallantry of Cyril Barton.

We have secured £1,250 from initial donations (Waitrose / John Lewis Partnership has kindly donated £1,000 ) but we require the set target to pay the balance for the plaques and their mounting, etc.. 

Please help us honour the gallantry of these three  men and , in so doing, honour all those on the adjacent War Memorial too.

The motto for the old Borough of Maldens and Coombe was 'DUCIT AMOR OPPIDI' (The Love of our Town Leads us). Please help us show that people of New Malden (along with Old Malden and Coombe) still love the town and, more importantly remembers and is grateful! 


If you read this and intend to donate could I please ask you to do so as soon as you can so that we can reach the target as soon as possible. We are getting a lot of 'likes' but the pick up appears slow. Please can you help us. 

Sorry to chase but I trust you understand. 

Since this started we have had over 600 views.  If only each one had donated a £5 we would be almost there!

If you read this and think I'll donate later... please just stop and  commit now. Please .

Many thanks for any contribution you can make - whatever will help.


PLEASE NOTE:

ALL MONIES RECEIVED WILL BE PAID INTO THE ACCOUNT OF THE MALDENS AND COOMBE HERITAGE SOCIETY AND NO OTHER ACCOUNT AND SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATED TO THE VC MEMORIAL FUND.

ALL MONIES RECEIVED  WILL BE PRIMARILY EXPENDED ON PURCHASE, INSTALLATION  AND DISPLAY OF THE PLAQUES COMMEMORATING THE VCs AND CIVILIANS.

ANY SPARE MONIES RECEIVED WILL BE EXPENDED WITH THE FOLLOWING INTENT:  FIRSTLY, ON ARRANGING WITH THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION FOR THE  PROFESSIONAL CLEANING OF THE BASE OF THE WAR MEMORIAL;  SECONDLY, FOR PROVIDING (IF AGREEABLE TO THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION) A SINGLE PERMANENT RED POPPY AT THE MEMORIAL FOR PUBLIC REMEMBRANCE THROUGH THE YEAR; THIRDLY, FOR A SPARE UNION FLAG FOR THE FLAGPOLE AND THEREAFTER, SHOULD ANY SPARE MONIES REMAIN, DEDICATED TO THE MAINTAINING OF OTHER WAR MEMORIALS IN THE OLD BOROUGH OF MALDENS AND COOMBE .

NO MONIES WILL BE EXPENDED FOR ANY OTHER CAUSE WHATSOEVER. 

ALL MONIES WILL BE EXPENDED SOLELY BY  AGREEMENT  WITH THE COMMITTEE OF THE MALDENS AND COOMBE HERITAGE SOCIETY AND NOT BY THE DECISION OF ANY ONE PERSON