Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 22/5/2019