Worplesdon’s New Memorial Honours Men Who Fell In The Great War

Published on: 25 Nov, 2018
Updated on: 27 Nov, 2018

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.

Deputy Lieutenant (Surrey) David Hypher unveils the new war memorial board.

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.

The roll of honour board lists 52 men from Worplesdon who died on active service during the First World War.

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.

Pictured from left: the vice-chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell, assistant parish clerk Victoria Fear, parish councillor Jan Messinger, parish clerk Gaynor White, and Deputy Lieutenant (Surrey) David Hypher.

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.

Members of the Maskell and Dowthwaite families pictured with David Hypher.

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.

Harvey Maskell used David Hypher’s ceremonial sword to cut a cake at the unveiling!

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.