The following is a brief review of two memorials in the Parish Church of St Helens, SWINHOPE. Personal data is drawn from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Placed some 4 feet above the floor of the north side of the nave is a dark wooden plate which incorporates a carved cross at it's top. Mounted on this plate is a circular Great War Memorial plaque in bronze, though apparently plated in brass, bearing the name WALTER HACKFATH. Under this is mounted a cast brass plate some 9" by 6" bearing the words IN LOVING MEMORY OF WALTER HACKFATH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919 REST ETERNAL GRANT HIM O LORD Walter HACKFATH is believed to have been the son of Mrs. Annie Hackforth of Seaton Terrace, Louth. He served as Gunner 918 in the 1st North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on the 22nd November 1915 aged 23. He is buried in the Le Touret Military Cemetery in the Pas de Calais,France. Also on the north wall of the nave is a large white marble tablet commemorating the ALLINGTON family at the bottom of which are the words AND LIEUTENANT RUPERT HILDEBRAND ALLINGTON RN KILLED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER 1943 'EN DIEU EST TOUT' He has not been further identified. |
