Service At Charlotteville Begins Guildford’s Weekend Of Remembering Its War Dead

Published on: 9 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 10 Nov, 2019

Guildford’s services of remembrance to honour its war dead began this afternoon (Saturday, November 9) in Charlotteville.

Wreath laying at the Charlotteville war memorial in Addison Road.

As happened last year, it was raining hard, but that did not deter about 35 people of all ages gathering at the war memorial in Addison Road.

The first part of the service, conducted by the Revd Rod Pierce of Holy Trinity Church, was outside Addison Court where the war memorial stands, and included the two-minute silence.

Wreath laid of behalf of the Charlotteville Jubilee Trust.

Last Post and Reville were played by Gemma Bartlett, a second-year music student at the University of Surrey.

After the wreath-laying, everyone went inside to the lounge at Addison Court for the remainder of the service, again organised by local residents Ian Nicholls and his partner, Julie Howarth.

Paying their respects despite the rain.

Ms Howarth read the reflection that focused on the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War and the seven men from Charlotteville who died during that war, while continuing the impact of the legacy of the First World War on the community there.

She also mentioned the the German air raid on Guildford during the early hours of May 12, 1941, when bombs fell on Charlotteville, claiming the life of 38-year-old Herbert Walter Washington who lived with his wife at 79 Cline Road. He is commemorated on the Charlotteville War Memorial. The bomb caused extensive damage to houses.

After the service, refreshments were served and people toured the display by the couple with stories of the local community and the men who served in the wars.

For further information on the Charlotteville war memorial click here for website.

Ian Nicholls and Julie Howarth with their Charlotteville history display panel inside Addison Court.

The self-guided Charlotteville 1914-1918 Heritage Trail that was introduced last year is also on display in Addison, Cline and Cooper Roads during the two weeks around remembrance weekend.

The Trail tells of the 100-plus men who served in the Armed Services, as well as women and men who enlisted in the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachments.

A general history of old Charlotteville is featured, with focus on the First World War, the eight shops, pub, St Luke’s church and institute, laundries, all now gone.

There are 30 posters with new ones acknowledging the contribution of local people 80 years ago when the Second World War began.

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