Thanks to a relative for this piece

To commemorate the town’s first loss of the Great War a road in the new Morland Gardens development has been named after Private Percival Arthur King.

On the tenth of September, 1914, the people of Abingdon mourned their first loss of the Great War. Private Percival Arthur King of court 22, Ock street, was killed in action taking part in the first Battle of Mons while serving with the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force.

This is an extract from the regimental diary of the day :- 10-09-14

Regiment. 1st Royal Berkshire

Location. France, COUPROU

Entry: 6th Bde A.G. to 2nd Div. Battalion with 1 sect 36 Bde RFA and 1 sect of 2 Fd Co R.E. as vanguard. Hostile column early seen [sic]. Some doubt as to identity. Touch obtained at village of HAUTEVESNES. On passing village of St GUNGOULPH, Germans estimated one Battn and 4 guns took defensive position assunder road. 1/Kings Rgt and 1/K.R.R.C. deployed to left of vanguard. 1. Bt 5th Bgd moved up in support on right. NE position captured 12.45pm. Went about to deploy for further action against hostile artillery. Heavy shell fire from left. March continued at 4.45pm. Bivouac at 6.30pm at CHEVILLAN. Casualties Lt A. H Perrott and 1 other rank killed. Other ranks 23 wounded. 365 prisoners and 546 rifles captured. 57 dead buried.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
(cntd.)

People have just marked the centenary of the start of the Battle of Passchendaele (or the 3rd battle of Ypres) that lasted from July to November 1917. The battle was for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in West Flanders. Passchendaele lay on the last ridge east of Ypres.

In the Abingdon (Borough) Roll of Service one entry also mentions Passchendaele.

Private William John Hearne, 37a Bath Street, 2nd 2nd London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers (presumed killed Passchendaele, Oct. 26, 1917).

There is a faded poppy stuck to the middle of the road sign in Ypres Way in Abingdon. The first picture of wild flowers is from Barton Fields in Abingdon.

The names of the men from Abingdon who served in World War 1 were read from the Roll of Service in St Helen’s Church on the Centenary of the outbreak of World War 1.

Abingdon Library has been collecting pictures and information about those who served, and an exhibition is also planned from Sept 8-12 in the Community Shop in Bury Street to remember those who served in World War 1.

“Please bring photographs of Abingdon people who served in the war (men & women). The photographs do not have to show the person in uniform & can have been taken at anytime in their life…” to either the Library or the Community Shop.

Houses in East St Helens Street are to display the story of previous inhabitants who served in World War 1 in their windows during Heritage Weekend (13-14 September).

One is already there.

During Heritage Weekend, in addition to the usual open properties and walks, all free, there is also a Family Activity Day on the Market Place to transport you back to Abingdon 100 years ago.

Ruby’s Vintage Fair will also be on that weekend in the Guildhall, as has happened for the last 2 years. They have a small charge for entry of £1.