Barnardo Memorial dedication ceremony

This new memorial is dedicated to the memory of those beloved Barnardo children and devoted members of staff who were
sadly laid to rest in these grounds between the years 1885 and 1976.

Some of the poorest children in the community were placed in Barnardo's care, and included some with pre-existing illnesses
and conditions. Unlike many charitable children's organisations, Barnardo's welcomed those with life-threatening disabilities.
It also nurtured and cared for its children through sickness and in health, and through often fatal outbreaks of tuberculosis,
measles, polio, scarlet fever and whooping cough, as well as the devastating influenza epidemic of 1918 that killed millions of
men, woman and children in this country and elsewhere.

Many of the children and adults who passed away, were buried in Barnardo's own plot within the grounds of Holy Trinity
Church until February 1927. Thereafter, a plot of consecrated ground in Barkingside Cemetery was designated to Barnardo's
where the remaining number of children and adults lay at rest.

GOD'S LENT CHILD

I'll lend you for a little while, a child of mine, God said
For you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he's dead
it may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three
But will you till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
You'll always have his memories as a solace in your grief
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below, I want this child to learn

I've looked this whole world over, in my search for teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's lane, I have chosen you
Now will you give him all your love and not think the labour vain
Nor hate me, when I come to take this lent child back again?

I fancy that I heard them say "Dear God, they will be done
For all the joys this child will bring, the risk of grief we'll run
We will shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may
And for all the happiness we've ever known, we'll ever grateful stay
But should the angels call him home, much sooner than we'd planned
we will brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

Anyone visiting the area should take a look at this memorial which contains over 600 names of our Family.

The Cemetery is just across the road from Barnardo's and is located just behind the Police Station.

Kind regards

Alan