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Hilden, County Antrim
Hilden War Memorial is located just off the A1 (Belfast Road) at the junction of Low Road and Mill Street, Hilden close to the railway bridge.
When the 36th and 16th Divisions started out on their way to the front, the women of Hilden, Glenmore, and Lambeg, formed a guild with the object of collecting funds and sending out parcels and comforts to the men at the front. Collections were made and entertainments given to raise funds wherewith to provide materials that could be worked up into comforts for the troops, and to obtain suitable presents for enclosure in the parcels. These were then made up and sent out regularly to the front, every possible care being exercised to try and keep in touch with the men individually, and supply them with parcels. The good work was kept up onto the end of the war, when, after meeting all expenses, the guild had on hand out of the fund which they had raised, the sum of £60 1s 3d
When the need for sending parcels to the front ceased the thought of the guild turned to the memory of those who had given their lives in the great war, and they decided that they would like to see their memory perpetuated by the provision of bronze plaques with the names thereon, which might be placed in some suitable place in the locality.
The memorial erected at Hilden is to perpetuate the names of the men of Hilden, Glenmore, and Lambeg, who fell in the war. It is in the form of a hexagon, with semi-circular top, and is of Portland stone, built in ashlar. On three sides it is supported by buttresses, with moulded caps and bases, the alternate sides forming recessed panels on which are placed the names of the fallen on handsome bronze plaques, with raised lettering, the inscription being placed round the top. The monument is 13 feet 6 inches in height from the ground, and is placed on a pedestal formed by two hexagonal steps. There are in all 117 names on the memorial, all of whom had been employed in the three districts.
The inscription on the memorial is ; -
“Erected in abiding and grateful memory of the men from Hilden, Glenmore, and Lambeg,
who gave their lives
in defence of Empire, Home, and Liberty in the Great War,
1914-1918.
May the undying memory of their devotion be to all who read the names an inspiration
to serve their country, promote its welfare, and give thought for peace and happiness.”
The Names of the Fallen.
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