The Harleston military remembrance walk was compiled by the Harleston Branch of the Royal British Legion. It offers a pleasant stroll through the local lanes and lets you to take in some of the local military history and visit memorial sites.
Walking can improve both your mental and physical health. This can be done at your own pace allowing time for reflection and remembrance.
The circular route begins and ends at The Harleston War Memorial on Broad Street and is just under four miles long. Open a map >
The War Memorial which was erected in Broad Street near St. John’s Church takes the form of a Celtic Cross of Cornish grey granite decorated with carved animals in the top section and entwined snakes on the arms of the cross and down the shaft forming the knotwork design. Read More >
Leave the War Memorial and proceed down Broad Street towards Redenhall Road. Cross over the road and pause at the bench outside 7 Redenhall Road. You have reached Remembrance Point 2.
The junction of Station Road and Redenhall Hall was the scene of a tragic accident on 26th March 1904. Driver Frederick William White (aged 18) of 1st Norfolk Royal Garrison Artillery died when his horse drawn gun carriage collided with a lamppost after the horses bolted. Read More >
Proceed into Station Road and pause near the top of Station Hill near the Army Cadet Force hut. You have reached Remembrance Point 3.
The area to the right of the cadet hut near the roadside was the site of Harleston Drill Hall. Built in 1902 and formerly a PYE factory. Read More >
Proceed down Station Hill and cross over the bridge and take the right-hand fork and follow Gawdy Lane through Gawdy Hall estate for approximately one mile to Church Lane in Redenhall, turn left and proceed 200 metres to the wooden cross situated over the ditch next to the field. The overall distance is about one and half miles. You have reached Remembrance Point 4.
The memorial of Canadian Pilot 2Lt Joseph Leo Philips who died here on 20th July 1917 when his Maurice Farman Shorthorn biplane crash landed. Read More >
Leaving here then proceed down Church Lane towards the A143. Cross over to the Church Lane footpath and proceed to the parish church of St Mary’s, Redenhall. Enter through the lower gate and proceed 30 metre to the Cross for Roland Albert Sadler which you will see on the left of the path. Distance 3/4 mile. You have reached Remembrance Point 5.
St Mary’s churchyard and the memorial cross of RAF pilot 2nd Lt Roland Albert Sadler of 78 Squadron, RAF Hornchurch. He died on 23rd September 1918. Read More >
Leaving here, proceed through the Churchyard to the field and follow the footpath at the side of the field to Cooks Lane and turn right and proceed to the junction of Cuckoo Lane and Green Lane. Then turn right and follow Green Lane for about 400 metres. The overall distance is about 1/2 mile. You have reached Remembrance Point 6.
The American Memorial where 22 American aircrew perished when the two B-24 Liberator Bombers collided in mid- air whilst preparing to land at the Flixton Air-Base. Read More >
Leaving here, proceed down Green Lane and cross over the by-pass onto Green Lane towards Jays Green for a distance of just over 1/2 mile. When you have passed the gate leading into Jays Green and the first bungalows, the field to your left is Remembrance Point 7.
The roadside at Jays Green and Briar Farm field. The site where the RAF Wellington bomber crashed and all six aircrew were killed. Read More >
Leaving here, proceed through Jays Green and down Straight Lane to the finish point back at Harleston War Memorial. Distance of 1/2 mile. The total distance of the walk is just under four miles.
Allowing stopping at each remembrance point this walk should take approximately two hours.
Please remember to close the gates behind you when following the public footpath through Redenhall Churchyard. The public footpath route through Redenhall Churchyard is not suitable for buggies, wheelchairs or mobility
scooters, however an alternate route is available using Cook’s Lane which is the road just past the Church.
Please be careful at the two major road crossing points of the A143 into Church Lane and the A143 crossing point at Green Lane leading towards Jays Green.
The Royal British Legion, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA
The Royal British Legion Harleston and District Branch (BR 0647) – Registered Charity Number: 219279