Duffield Memorial

The Duffield Memorial is located in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Great Baddow, approximately 75 meters east of the church. This memorial features a Celtic wheel cross set on a four-sided base designed in an art nouveau style. It is constructed from rivetted copper alloy sheet metal, which encases a masonry core. The cross-shaft curves towards the foot, which has gently curved, splayed edges that mirror the ogee lines of the base. The wheel of the cross includes pierced, inset relief foliate decoration. Originally, a medallion was rivetted to the center of the west side of the cross, but it has since been removed.

The memorial is enclosed within a rectangular plot bordered by kerbs made of the same material, with short pillars at each corner. There are two copper plaques riveted to the base of the monument, featuring raised lettering typical of the period. The west-facing plaque commemorates Marianne Duffield, born May 7th, 1827, and died June 22nd, 1910, and William Ward Duffield, born November 25th, 1820, and died August 17th, 1912, with the inscription ‘LUX PERPETUA LUCEAT EIS’. The east-facing plaque, added later, honors William Bartleet Duffield, born January 9th, 1861, who died at Aix les Bains, France, on June 3rd, 1918.