Category Archives: war

Passchendaele

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Passchendaele
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.
Passchendaele
In the Abingdon (Borough) Roll of Service one entry also mentions Passchendaele.
Passchendaele
Private William John Hearne, 37a Bath Street, 2nd 2nd London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers (presumed killed Passchendaele, Oct. 26, 1917).
Passchendaele
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.

A Subdued Christmas in Abingdon 100 years ago

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During 2014 there have been a number of events in Abingdon commemorating the centenary of the start of World War I.
Subdued Christmas
Abingdon Library are still collecting information about people from Abingdon who served in WWI.

In the Abingdon Free Press and Didcot News, 100 years ago, there is a comment that Christmas celebrations, at home, should be subdued because of the vacant places round the hearths of many families with sons, and older brothers, serving in places of danger – even more so, because of bereavements – “Weep with those who weep.”
Subdued Christmas
The Oxford Picture Journal published pictures of service men killed or injured from Oxford and surroundings towns and villages. Those pictured as killed in action from Abingdon included:
Private King of 22 Ock Street killed on Sep 10 1914 at Mons in Belgium
Private Bowler of 54 Vineyard  killed  Sep 18 1914 in Belgium
Lance Corporal Luker of 24 West St Helen Street killed Oct 1914
Private Alford of Winterbourne Road
Private Stanley of 8 Ock Street killed Oct 28 1914 at Zonnebeke in Belgium
Private Denton of Victoria Road killed Oct 21 1914 in Belgium
Private Blagrove of 202 Ock Street killed Nov 13 1914  at Zonnebeke in Belgium

The Free Press also mentioned that the members of the Royal Naval Air Service, billeted in Abingdon, had arranged a ‘capital’ concert at the YMCA Social Club Rooms in Ock Street.

In the same paper there is another comment – some local traders were asking why fewer service men were billeted in Abingdon compared to other towns. Service men were good for trade.

Abingdon 100 years ago

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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.
A War to end all Wars
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.
A War to end all Wars
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).
A War to end all Wars
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.

Centenary of the Start of World War One – The Great War

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Start of World War One
Earlier this evening there was a book signing of the new book ‘Abingdon in the Great War’ at the opening of the ‘Abingdon at War’ exhibition at Abingdon Museum.
Start of World War One
Throughout the evening people at St Helen’s Church have been reading the names of the 1336 men from Abingdon who served
Start of World War One
and the 205 who died in the Great War. We were reminded that Abingdon back then had a population of just 6,800.
Start of World War One
That was followed by a Candlelit Vigil round the War Memorial where all victims, of all wars, past and present, were remembered.
Start of World War One
This was part of the national ‘Lights Out’ commemoration where people were invited to turn off their lights for an hour until 23:00, the time war was declared in 1914, and light a candle. (Thanks to Elizabeth for sending the final picture.)