The parish of Worplesdon has unveiled a new war memorial board to honour its men who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.
The unveiling, by the Deputy Lieutenant (Surrey) David Hypher, took place at Worplesdon Memorial Hall at Perry Hill on Friday evening, November 23. The hall itself is of course dedicated to its Great War dead.
The new roll of honour contains the names of 52 men. These have been researched by Worplesdon parish councillor Jan Messinger, who, over the past few years, has discovered much fascinating details of the men and where they lived, along with their families.
Jan has also been able to add an additional name to those already known. Private George Press served with the Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment. He lived at Pitch Place and died on July 15, 1916, aged 30.
In addressing those at the unveiling, the vice-chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell, said that each of the men have a story to be told, and their sacrifice must be respected and honoured for the next 100 years.
At the unveiling were several descendants of Pte George Press, including Lucy Maskell and her son Harvey, and members of the Dowthwaite family.
The Dowthwaites are also descendants of another man commemorated on the memorial, Pte Albert, James Langford.
Worplesdon Parish Council has funded the board as part of its commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the First World War. It was made and sign-written by Gerald Whittacker, who was also at the unveiling.
A book is scheduled to be published in June with details of Worplesdon’s Great War dead, written by Jan Messinger. All profits from it will be donated to The Armed Forces charity, SSAFA.
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Contact: Martin Giles mgilesdragon@gmail.com
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