Binstead And Havenstreet War Shrine

Binstead and Havenstreet War Shrine

A war shrine erected in 1917-18 in the Arts and Crafts manner, built by John and Violet Willis Fleming to commemorate their son, Second Lieutenant Richard Willis Fleming, who was killed in Egypt on 4 August 1916. The architect is not presently known. The building also commemorates other war dead from the parishes of Binstead and Havenstreet.

The shrine is constructed from roughly dressed Binstead stone sourced from quarries owned by the family, with a stone roof salvaged from the old boathouse at Binstead Hard and ornamental ironwork. It is a single-storey rectangular building approached by three steps with a curved centre. The plan comprises three compartments as specified by the client: a larger central section containing an altar and two smaller side sections serving as prayer rooms. The building is surrounded by a rectangular walled stone enclosure with square stone gatepiers capped with pyramids.

The west or rear elevation presents an unbroken stone wall. The ends feature only small semi-circular window openings with leaded lights. The principal east front is approached by three curved limestone steps. A wooden fascia bears the inscription "BUT THEY ARE IN PEACE FOR GOD PROVED THEM AND FOUND THEM WORTHY FOR HIMSELF". Above the central compartment is an inscription to Richard Willis Fleming. The roof is hipped stone slabs with end ornamental iron cross-shaped finials.

The central compartment is open-fronted with wrought iron double gates, originally half-height with curved tops but later extended to full height. The end compartments have studded oak plank doors. Inside the central compartment, round-headed arches with iron grilles divide the compartments. A central wooden altar with carved blank arches stands here, with a wooden cross fixed to the wall above. On each side of the altar are cast lead panels with decorative borders, one each for Binstead and Havenstreet parishes, inscribed "PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THESE GALLANT MEN". These panels list 39 local people who died in the Great War, including members of the Isle of Wight Rifles who fell in actions such as Gallipoli and Gaza. Some served with Canadian forces. A memorial to USAAF Airman Major E Leach, who died nearby during the Second World War, is also present. Ledger stones commemorate members of the Willis Fleming family whose ashes have been interred here since 1967.

The lead inscription panels of 1920-21 replaced original rolls of honour. Although their design has been attributed to Eric Gill, estate accounts confirm they were executed by Lawrence Turner of the Arts Workers' Guild, a prominent craftsman and the Guild's Master from 1922, who was closely associated with George Jack and carved William Morris's gravestone. The shrine was restored in 1962. The family erected an identical war shrine at North Stoneham in Hampshire. Both are thought to be the last structures ever constructed in Binstead stone.