Blackmore: Game Family (2)

Sent
16 May 2010

Hello

Work has commenced cleaning and re-engraving Blackmore's War Memorial. The 102 names originally commemorated will be reinstated with no names added, and no perceived errors amended. Both the Parish Council and researchers believe that this is a historic monument and that it would be wrong to alter history.

The Brentwood Gazette, the local newspaper for the area, has published articles on 5 & 12 May. The Parish Council (12 May) emphasised that the memorial would be reinstated without addition.

Work is in progress to publish research into the lives of those commemorated online, including those with an association with Blackmore not listed on the War Memorial. Go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwone.html for a list. A permanent record will also be created in paper form - as a book.

I will keep you updated on progress.

Regards
Andrew

Received
16 May 2010

Hi Andrew
Thanks for keeping me updated on progress.

By the way would you be interested in the only photograph I have of my Grandfather in uniform?

Regards, Colin

Replied
16 May 2010

Colin

Yes please. We would very much appreciate a photograph for publication on the website and commemorative record.

Regards
Andrew

Received
17 May 2010

Hi Andrew

Attached are files which you can use as you see fit. [These all may be found on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/great_war_gallery.html]. One is the photo of Herbert Game in uniform [see above]. The second is his inscription on the Thiepval memorial (plus a bit of me!!) and the third is a memorial to the fallen of WW1 which includes Herbert. The memorial is in the porch of Chelsfield church (St Martins); Chelsfield is near to Farnborough. As far as I know Herbert was not included on the Farnborough war memorial. Herbert's wife (my Grandmother) re-married a Richard Clark who was sexton at St Martin's for 20 years and I assume that is the Church where they worshipped and hence why Herbert was included on that memorial.

If you look at the plaque you will also see included Andrew Symonds (albeit it should have been spelt Symons) who was the brother-in-law of Herbert and he certainly had no connection with Farnborough or Chelsfield. I assume that you looked at the memorial in St Giles? Strangely Andrew is also commemorated in the churchyard with an individual plaque. As an amateur historian you might be interested in the fact that he died of wounds received at the battle of Dogger Bank whilst on board the flagship HMS Lion (also famed for its later engagement at Jutland) which was hit by a salvo from a German battleship. The history books I have read all state that no-one was killed on HMS Lion which I suppose was technically correct !

Regards Colin

Replied
20 May 2010

Many thanks, Colin, for generously sending a copy of your grandfather’s photograph in uniform plus copies of the memorials where he is commemorated. Andrew

[Herbert Game is commemorated on http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/herbert_game.html].