Abingdon is coming together in a Festival of Remembrance marking the centenary of the end of World War 1. The Festival, with music by The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles, is taking place on Saturday November 3 at St Helen’s Church. It will focus on the role that Abingdon played in the war and look at individual sacrifices made by soldiers from the town.

Thanks to the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette for the following news from Abingdon 100 years ago in October 1918. ( © Successor rightsholder unknown. All Rights Reserved.)

5th October

Private A. J. Brett, Hampshire Regiment, son of and Mrs Brett, 41 Ock Street. Abingdon, is reported seriously wounded in both thighs by shrapnel in France.

Mr F. Aldworth. baker, West St. Helens Street, has had six sons serving in the current war. Captain William Aldworth. Essex Regt., awarded the D.S.O. for clearing a village with 17 men, though held by the enemy; Corporal Arthur Aldworth, 21, youngest son, killed in action on September 11th; Sapper Frank Aldworth, 30 killed in action in June; Lieutenant Tom Aldworth, Canadians, wounded; Private George Aldworth, Cameron Highlanders, wounded; and Private Edward Aldworth, R.G.A., still serving with the Colours. All of them were Abingdon Church Schoolboys.

12th October

Mr Charles Hartley and Miss Ethel Gordon Pauli gave an excellent humourous, musical, and dramatic entertainment in the Abingdon Corn Exchange on Thursday evening, when part of the proceeds were given to the Local Red Cross Hospital.

The Abingdon and Wantage motor bus met with a somewhat alarming accident on Wednesday evening of last week. It appears that when at Cold Arbour, on the Abingdon Road, the driver drew the bus to the side of the road to allow a motor cycle to pass, when the steering rod broke and the bus ran up the bank into the hedge, and turned over into a field, which was flooded at the time, and the 25 passengers were considerably frightened, but happily no one was seriously injured.

Private Harry Messenger, 19, of the Hampshire Regt., son of Mr Thomas Messenger, of Spring Road, Abingdon, is reported as having been killed in action on Sept. 4th.

Lance Corporal G. Townsend, of the London Regt., Q.V.8., son of Mr W. Townsend, East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, has been wounded for the second time, this time by a serious wound in the right leg.

ln last month’s published list of M.C.’s awarded appears the name of acting-Captain Tom Lodge, of the Oxford and Bucks LJ. aged 21, youngest son of Mrs Lodge, of Tesdale Terrace, Abingdon, who died of wounds on May 21st last. When his senior officers had been wounded he immediately took command, and by persistence obtained the objective, and on another occasion, on his own initiative, he led a counter attack, capturing a machine gun and killing several of the enemy.

17th October

Private A. C. Carter, 19, Hampshire Regt., son of L. Carter, 44, Vineyard, is reported killed in action on Sept. 13th in France.
Norman Leach,18, son of Mr T. Leach, 53, Ock Street, was a wireless operator on oil transport ship which has been sunk

The Michaelmas Runaway Fair was held on Monday last when a few stalls filled the Market Place. The day was very wet and the attendance very small.

The death of Mr Bromley Challenor, the Abingdon Town Clerk, at the age of 67, occurred after a long and painful illness, at his residence, The Firs, Marcham Road, Abingdon. Two years ago he underwent an operation for appendicitis, and was able afterwards to continue his work, but his health was not fully restored. For some months he had been an invalid, suffering from a painful illness, which he bore with much fortitude. Although a somewhat stern disciplinarian in practice, nevertheless at all times he showed a sympathetic and kindly spirit in his private capacity. He was for over 40 years Town Clerk of Abingdon, and for over 30 years Coroner for Abingdon and a wide district.

26th October

Private Alfred C. Badcock, Royal Fusiliers, only son of Mr and Mrs Charles Badcock, Broad Street, Abingdon, is reported killed in action in France. He was formerly apprenticed at Hughes’ Printing Works, Market Place, and afterwards worked in London, and on joining up he was working at Mrs Hookes, Abingdon, joining the Royal Fusiliers when billeted in Abingdon in 1915. He was very useful member of the Young Men’s Social Club.

Private W. J. Hearne, Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment), of Bath Street,’Abingdon, reported missing on October 26th, 1917, at Passchendale, is now presumed to have been killed on that date.
Private A. Wiblin, Royal Berks, son Mrs Wiblin, Court 6, Ock Street, Abingdon, is reported missing since March 21st.
Private G. A. Wiblin, son of Mrs 6. Wiblin, West St. Helen Street, Abingdon, previously reported as missing, is now stated to be prisoner in Germany
Private F. G. Tarry, East Yorks, son of Mrs Tarry, 18, West St. Helen Street, Abingdon, posted missing on May 27th, is now a prisoner of war.
Private G. Sparrow, Royal Berks, son of Mrs Sparrow, 159, Ock Street, Abingdon, has been mentioned in a regimental report for his gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field August 24th, near Boisselle.

(News from https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/)