There is a new exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Musuem, put together by the Abingdon Area Archaeological and Historical Society (AAAHS), who are fifty years old.

They began life as the Abingdon and District Archaeological Society. Volunteers back in 1968 could still take an important part in archaeological digs.

They found many important objects. Some help make up the museum’s collection.

Nowadays, developers are more likely to call in commercial archaeologists.

The society also has many members interested in exploring the history of Abingdon and so have added HISTORY to their name. You can find their growing collection of Abingdon people at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/history/people and Abingdon buildings at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/history/buildings.

Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette © Successor rightsholder unknown (Digitised by https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Saturday 06 July 1918

Mr J Chivers, draper High Street, Abingdon, has received official information that his eldest son, 2nd Lieut. H. Chivers, A,S.C., has been accidentally killed in France. He leaves a widow and two children.

Pte Frank Gilbert Tarry, East Yorks Regt., son of Mrs Tarry, East St Helen’s, Abingdon, is posted as missing.

Saturday 13 July 1918

Pte. Walter Green, 44, a driver in the A.S.C. Remount Depot at Bristol, of West St. Helen Street, Abingdon, was kicked by a horse on July 3rd, and died the following day in the Hospital. Deceased had only joined up about fortnight, and in the A.S.C. a little over a week. He leaves a widow and several young children, and had one son killed in a flying accident a short time ago.

Saturday 20 July 1918

Sec-Lieut. P. L. Howard, Royal Berks, son of Arthur Howard, chemist, Caldecott Road, is reported missing.

France’s National Day was celebrated in Abingdon on Friday last, when the town was gay with flags. In the evening there was demonstration in the Park, and a procession through the town. The proceedings terminated by the band playing the French National Anthem, and God Save King.

Saturday 27 July 1918

Pte. George Wiggins, Royal Berks, of Ock Street, who was reported missing on August 22nd 1917, is now officially assumed to have died on that date.

A shrine has been erected in the Vineyard, Abingdon, near the Malthouse, and was dedicated by the Vicar. The shrine is the gift of Lady Norman, of Stratton House, Abingdon, and is made from wood and metal from H.M.S Britannic.

Pte. Frederick Giddings, R,.E., Mayotts Road, Abingdon, formerly employed by Mr Stroads, painter and previously posted as missing has now been officially reported as having died in Germany. He leaves a widow and two children.

(The A.S.C (Army Service Corps) was the Logistics Regiment of their day. Two of the Abingdon army deaths were from the A.S.C. – both accidental.)