Blackmore Area Local History

Saturday, 8 November 2008

North Weald: Remembering ... William J. Dawes

William John Dawes, Lance Corporal, 1st Essex Regiment was my great-uncle. He served in the ‘failed’ eight month campaign in Gallipoli which was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war. Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery was created after the Armistice when graves were brought in from isolated sites and small burial grounds on the battlefields of April to August and December 1915. There are now 3,360 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 2,226 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate many casualties known or believed to be buried among them, including 142 officers and men of the 1st Essex who died on 6th August 1915. My great-uncle was one of those who fell on that day.

He is commemorated on the War Memorial at North Weald and is also remembered by his family on the grave of his brother, Henry, who died in 1929 and was buried in the village churchyard.

The ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’, who records his name as J. W. Dawes, includes the following citation:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=602877

Friday, 7 November 2008

Ninety Years On. Remembering the First World War (19)

Extract from ‘Notes For A Parish History’ (ERO T/P 188/3) written by Revd. E. H. L Reeve of Stondon Massey (Essex).

7th November 1918

On Sunday last special reference was made to our victories, and to the paramount importance of thanksgiving. This should become still more and more pronounced as the final Peace draws nearer.

Next entry: 10th November 1918

New Book: Blackmore Remembers

Drawing on material used in this on-line project, 'Blackmore Remembers' commemorates ninety years since the end of the First World War. Available price £1.50 from the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. Available through this site, but including P&P. E mail for more information.

Thursday, 6 November 2008

Ninety Years On. Remembering the First World War (18)

Extract from ‘Notes For A Parish History’ (ERO T/P 188/3) written by Revd. E. H. L Reeve of Stondon Massey (Essex).

6th November 1918

Events of the greatest importance are daily taking place. The terms of the armistice have been fully agreed upon by all the Allies at their Council at Versailles. President Wilson is always insisting that the terms of Peace must be so framed at last as to secure a lasting basis, and not by their vindictiveness to cause a sense of injustice and so sow the seeds of future animosities and wars.

Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Blackmore: Remembering ... William White

Private William Willis White (son of Arthur William & Rose Ellis White of Fingrith Hall Road, and brother of George) served in the Leicestershire Regiment and was killed on 5th November 1918, aged 26. He is buried in Downham Churchyard (see photograph).

His name is not commemorated at Blackmore

The ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ includes the following citation:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=356780

Blackmore: Remembering ... James Gosling

Private James Gosling was born in Blackmore Essex. He enlisted at Romford and died at home on 5th November 1916. He formerly served in the Essex Regiment then Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion”. He is buried at Felixtowe according to the ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ (http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=397156).
Unfortunately cwgc does not give his parents or family address.
His name is recorded in, http://www.peterjoslin.btinternet.co.uk/GoslingWarDead.htm and http://www.military-genealogy.com/productHome?product=ww1.

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Ninety Years On. Remembering the First World War (17)

Extract from ‘Notes For A Parish History’ written by Revd. E. H. L Reeve of Stondon Massey (Essex).

4th November 1918

Every day brings news of fresh victories for the Allies.

Next entry: 6th November 1918

Monday, 3 November 2008

Stondon Massey: Remembering ... others who served

Revd Reeve recalled the following men who served in the Great War:

Corporal John White became a prisoner of war. “He returned home in January 1919, his kindly farm friends from Germany sending him off with a present of bacon for his needs!”

Fred Bennett was badly wounded and invalided home from France.

Mr John Pryor (Captain) left Stondon after the War “to be nearer his business in London” owing to injuries sustained in battle.

Three brothers, William, Walter and William (junior) Cook, all served as lifeguards and “came safely through the War”.

William Ellis, was wounded at St Julieu (31st July 1917) but “now convalescent has returned to civil employment”.

William Penson, a man often mentioned by Reeve, came through the War and “returned to work at the Rectory [as gardener] Feb 24th 1919”.

Other names noted by Reeve were Ernest Baines, Ernest Baines (junior), Arthur Bolt, George Brown, Albert Chantry, Leonard James Drake, Cyril Gandy, Harry Lodge, Arthur Roast, Percy Roast (known as ‘Jack’ and nephew of Arthur), Thomas Roast (living at Blackmore), Sergeant George Sankey, Alec Shuttleworth, William Skinner, George Turner, Arthur H Watts, Algernon Chichester White, Maurice Bazely White and, John Tyndale White.

Sunday, 2 November 2008

War Memorials Locally

New Book: Stondon Massey Remembers

Drawing on material used in this on-line project, 'Stondon Massey Remembers' commemorates ninety years since the end of the First World War. Available price £1.50 from St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey and the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. Available through this site, but including P&P. E mail for more information.

Saturday, 1 November 2008

Ninety Years On. Remembering the First World War (16)

Extract from ‘Notes For A Parish History’ (ERO T/P 188/3) written by Revd. E. H. L Reeve of Stondon Massey (Essex).

1st November 1918

Turkey has capitulated.

Two Hungarians are at Stondon Hall, as lodgers, employed on the farm. They and other prisoners must be beginning to realize the position of the Central Powers.

Next entry: 4th November 1918

Book Preview: The Impact of Catastrophe

Today, at the excellent one-day conference entitled 'Sad Shires and Bugles', the Essex Record Office launched its new publication with author Paul Rusiecki giving a talk and signing his work over lunch.

'The Impact of Catastrophe' subtitled 'The people of Essex and the First World War (1914 - 1920)' fills a gap in hitherto published work.

"It shows, with copious references to contemporary material [Revd Reeve of Stondon Massey included], how the shadow of the Great War fell upon every aspect of life in the county. Dr Paul Rusiecki brings to life the experiences of those Essex people who sought to 'keep the home fires burning' in the face of shortages, blackouts and air raids [locally the Zeppelin raid of 31 March 1916]. He also traces the growth of the movement to commemorate those citizens of Essex who fought and died for their country in the 'war to end all wars'".

This looks to be a tremendous book. Soft cover, 464 pages.

"For more information, or to order, e mail: ero.enquiry@essexcc.gov.uk. Tel: 01245 244644."

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - November 2008

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

Blackmore History website goes live

Today marks the official launch of the website http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk . On the site you will find:
- a transcript of the 1910 Electoral Roll for Blackmore
- an index of family names associated with Blackmore
- a page dedicated to those who gave their lives in the First World War
- some notes about Blackmore’s Parish registers
- a house history of ‘Jericho Priory’
The site is linked to this blog. Do please take a look and pass on your comments.

Somewhere to go at Fryerning Church

Fryerning Church has installed a new toilet facility by creating an extension through the north doorway. Pictures of progress can be seen by clicking on the following link.
http://www.fryerningparishchurch.org.uk/

Moving graves at St Martin’s Church Ongar

A proposal has been made to create a green space in the area around St Martin’s Church, Chipping Ongar. This will entail the moving of gravestones over 150 years old. Read Keldon for more information:
http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/historynews/?p=126

Great War commemoration: local events

At the Keene Hall, Galleywood, the local historical society is putting on an exhibition, ‘The Great War – Galleywood and Beyond’ on 8 November 2008 from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Follow this link for information.
http://www.essexinfo.net/galleywoodhistoricalsociety/exhibitions/

Not to be outdone either in the neighbouring parish, the Stock and Buttsbury Heritage Society is holding an exhibition commemorating those who went to war from their villages. The event will be held at Stock Village Hall, Saturday 8 November, 10.30am to 5.00pm and Sunday 9 November from 11.15am (after the Service at the War Memorial) to 5.00pm.

Finally, on Remembrance Sunday itself, the Priory Church of St Laurence Blackmore will be open following the Parade Service through to 3.30pm. As well as enjoying the quiet of this lovely building there will be an opportunity to learn more about those from Blackmore and Stondon Massey who served in the First World War. The small ‘exhibition table’ will draw on material used in the creation of this project. Learn about those who served, air raids, rationing and votes for women.

Two books will also be released this month: ‘Blackmore Remembers’ and ‘Stondon Massey Remembers’. Both are subtitled “A collection of notes about the First World War and of those who gave their lives”. These limited edition booklets are priced £1.50 each and sold in aid of local church funds.

Great War commemoration: other news

Over the next few days there will be a surge in items published on the Internet and elsewhere about the First World War. On 11 November Blackmore Area Local History will be presenting a round-up of local happenings.

Links list

The following links are recommended, although I cannot be responsible for their content.

Blackmore
Blackmore Area Local History
More information can be found on the sister site. (I am responsible for the content of this site!).
http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/

Blackmore Village website.
Very popular community website contains local and family history information.
Now with over 10000 hits
http://www.blackmorevillage.co.uk/

Priory Church of St Laurence
Link to Parish Church (Church of England) website - Home page
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pcslblackmore/index.htm
History page
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pcslblackmore/history.htm
Friends of St Laurence, Blackmore
The web-page of the support group
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pcslblackmore/friends.htm

Other sites
History House (includes a link to this blog), written by Keldon.
http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexb17.html

Photos, maps and memories from the Francis Frith collection
http://www.francisfrith.com/archive/england/essex/blackmore/blackmore.htm

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmore

Bessie Blount
http://homepages.enterprise.net/rogerp/blount.html

Villages nearby covered by BALH
Buckhurst Hill
http://buckhurst-hill-history.sampasite.com/

Epping Forest District
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/history/history_of_the_area.asp

Fryerning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fryerning
Mill Green Windmill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mill_Green_Mill,_Fryerning

Ingatestone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingatestone
http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/essex/ingatestone/

Stock
Index of village history
http://www.stock.org.uk/sub-index/history.htm

Stondon Massey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stondon_Massey_(parish)

Writtle
http://www.writtleringers.org.uk/all_saints_church.htm

History News Across Essex
This blog will try to cover everything about the heritage of the Blackmore Area. For coverage across the whole of Essex, the following link is recommended.
http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/history/

Historical Societies and Groups in Essex
Blackmore does not have a local history group but, to use a cliché, others are available.

Brentwood & District Historical Society
http://www.essexinfo.net/brentwoodhistorical/

The Essex Congress lists a number of historical, heritage and civic groups and societies on its website. Follow the link.
Local History and Archaeological Societies in Essex
http://www.essexcongress.org.uk/16253.html
Essex Congress – home page
http://www.essexcongress.org.uk/4436.html

Essex Society for Archaeology and History - home page
http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/

The Foxearth and District Local History Society. A village in the north of Essex with an incredible website.
http://www.foxearth.org.uk/
It includes a listing of “museums, stately homes and various other places to visit in East Anglia that would be of interest to anyone interested in History or Archaeology”.
http://www.foxearth.org.uk/wheredowego.html
Also ‘Links’ to other websites
http://www.foxearth.org.uk/links.html

Local History Workshop
http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/research/local-history/workshop.shtm

Places to Visit

Copped Hall, Epping
http://www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk/
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/history/Copped_Hall_Part_I.asp

Epping Forest District Museum, Waltham Abbey
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/history/district_museum.asp
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/Museum/default.asp

Ingatestone Hall
http://www.powerset.com/explore/semhtml/Ingatestone_Hall

North Weald Airfield Museum
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/history/north_weald_airfield_museum.asp

Churches in Essex

This website, with many photos, is a real labour of love by its author, John Whitworth.
http://www.essexchurches.info/home.asp
For the Blackmore page, follow this link. “Carlsberg don't make timber church towers ...but if they did ... they'd be the best timber church towers in the world!”
http://www.essexchurches.info/church.asp?p=Blackmore&ty=e&id=001&ts=001
http://www.essexchurches.info/church.asp?p=Blackmore&ty=i&id=002&ts=001

Lost Churches in Essex
Andrew Barham’s book includes nearby Berners Roding.
http://www22.brinkster.com/barham/LostChurches.asp
http://www22.brinkster.com/barham/images/Berners_roding.jpg

Brentwood Cathedral
This is featured on a blog profiling architects Quinlan and Francis Terry
http://fortworthology.com/2008/05/27/current-architects-i-like-quinlan-and-francis-terry/

Research
Essex Record Office

The starting point for on-line research. Find out what amazing documents are available at Chelmsford.
http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/login.asp

Victoria County History
Ongar Hundred
Victoria County History Volume IV. Ongar Hundred, published in 1956. Reproduced on British History Online
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=53
In case you are wondering, the history of Chelmsford Hundred has not been published by VCH yet. It is an ongoing project. Work is concentrating at present on the seaside towns in the Tendring area.
http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/@id=90&Section%5b@stateId_eq_County%5d/@id=842&Section%5b@stateId_eq_Main%5d/@id=843&Section%5b@stateId_eq_SubNav%5d/@id=843&Session/@id=D_OMbLkWLB5i3kL8N0R8Ra

Friday, 31 October 2008

Blackmore: War Memorial

On The Green at Blackmore is the village War Memorial commemorating those who died and those who served in the First World War. There is no permanent memorial to those who gave their lives in World War Two. It is a hexagonal pillar. On the front face are the names of 21 men who gave their lives. To the left is a list of those men from Blackmore who served whilst to the right are those men associated with Blackmore who served.

The Memorial was unveiled in 1920 so pre-dates the deaths of Frank James Monk (1921) and Jacob Wiltshire (1923) who also died from their wounds. Both of these men are buried in the churchyard at Blackmore and have a non war commission headstone. Alfred Ellis appears on the memorial window inside the Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore, but not on the War Memorial.

The War Memorial was dedicated on 7th November 1920, four days before the second Anniversary of the Armistice when people would have gathered and paused for two minutes to remember. The Essex County Chronicle reported: “The unveiling of the war memorial took place on Sunday afternoon, a very large number of people being present. The ceremony began with the singing of “O God Our Help In Ages Past” followed by the lesson read by the Vicar (the Revd. W L Petrie) and prayers by Pastor Francis. At the request of Mr Edmund Marriage, Lieut. Col. Gibbons D.S.O. then unveiled the memorial congratulating Blackmore for having sent 103 men out of a population of 600. He mentioned that one in every five had paid the supreme sacrifice – Mr J H Hull then asked Mr E Marriage as Chairman of the Parish Council, to accept custody of the memorial. The names of the fallen are inscribed on the front face, and on the other faces the names of the men from the village who served are inscribed”[1].

The names recorded on the War Memorial are as follows:

In memory of those who gave
their lives for their country
in the Great War 1914 – 1918

Sec Lieut G W Pigott RFA
Sec Lieut A I Miller MMRIR
Stoker W Brazier RN
A/B E Alexander RN
A/B W Wash RN
A/Mech W Scudder RNAS
Pte G White RMLI
Bomd. A Godding RFA
Gr E Sutton RCA
Drv C Wash RE
Drv A J Wheal RE
Pte D Sutton R Fus
Pte H Riglin Suffolk
Pte W Rudling Suffolk
Pte H Game E Surrey
Pte H Miller E Surrey
L Corp E Maynard Essex
Pte A Barker Essex
Pte E Martin Essex
Pte A Nash Essex
Pte J Roast Essex

At the foot of the memorial is the inscription:
‘Their name liveth for evermore’

The following connected
with Blackmore also
served in His Majesty’s
Forces

Pte A Roast Bedford
Pte H Allen Border
Corp C Miller Essex
Corp J Monk Essex
Corp P Pagram Essex
Pte W Chumbley Essex
Pte C Hasler Essex
Pte T Livings Essex
Pte C Miller Essex
Pte H Ovel Essex
Pte F Penson Essex
Pte C Stiff Essex
Pte H White Essex
Pte J Wiltshire Essex
Pte F Wilson Essex
Pte G Woollard Essex
Pte J Wray Essex
Pte A Wright Essex
Pte A Chumbley Middsx
Pte R Chapman Middsx

Sgt W Sankey RASC
Cpl J Pagram RASC
Drv P Roast RASC
Pte W Burr RASC
Pte W Chumbley RASC
Pte A McLaren RASC
Pte E Ovel RASC
Pte C Pagram RASC
Pte F Wood RASC
Pte A Boyd RAMC
Sgt/Mec C Pratt RAF
Sgt H Matthews RAF
Ft Sgt J Woollard DSM
Cpl/Mec G Newcombe RAF
A/M A Ovel RAF
L/Cpl A Wheal MCC
Gr C Knight MCC
Pte L Chumbley MCC
Pte H Pavitt ACC
Gr T Roast Tank C
Pte C Wray Labour C
Pte F Smith Labour C

The following connected
with Blackmore also
served in His Majesty’s Forces

Lieut-Col W G Piggott .
OBE Rifle Bde
Major H C C Hackney .
RAMC (TF)
Capt J H Hull Essex
Sub-Lt A L Jasper PMR
Sec-Lt G V Jasper MGC
Sec-Lt R Ingram RAF
P Offr A Griffiths RN
P Offr D Martin RN
Cr G Attridge RN
A/B S Ball RN
A/B S Brazier RN
Str E Brown RN
A/B G Farmer RN
A/B E Murkin RN
Str J Murkin RN
Str F Saye RN
Str A Wheal RN

A/B W Woollard RN
OS J Wilson RN
A/M L Ingram RMES
Tr B Whitmore Essex Yeo
Tr R Whitmore 15th Hus
Gr W Wood RFA
Gr J Brinkley RGA
Gr A Jobson RGA
Gr J Monk RGA
Spr B Surridge RE
Spr T West RE
Pte E Puddephatt RW Surrey
Pte F Wray RW Surrey
Pte W Brown Roy Fus
Pte H Rayner Roy Fus
Pte E Wager Roy Fus
Pte G Wash Roy Fus
Pte H Game X Liverpool
Pte A Hart Norfolk
Pte A Humphreys Norfolk
Pte J Horrex Devon
Pte S Martin Suffolk

[1] ERO. T/P 181/2/11. A quotation taken from a newspaper cutting in the Cuttle collection, dated 12th November 1920, concerning the dedication of the War Memorial.

Thursday, 30 October 2008

Blackmore: Remembering ... others born here

Wallace King.

Ernest Knight, who lived at Magdalen Laver.

Bertie Millbank, who died 23rd September 1914. http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=258392

Walter Ovel, who lived at South Weald, died 8th August 1915 http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=109576

Joseph Thomas, who lived at Bishops Stortford.

Also Walter Gray, born at Stondon Massey.

Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Blackmore: Remembering ... Herbert Larke

Herbert Larke (son of Mr W G & Mrs E F Larke of Copyhold Cottage Blackmore) served in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He died on 21st March 1918, aged 23 and is remembered on Pozieres Memorial.

His name is not commemorated at Blackmore

The ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ includes the following citation:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=1584114

Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Blackmore: Remembering ... George Wright

Private George William Wright, who was born at High Ongar and said to have lived at Blackmore, served in the 10th Battalion of the Essex Regiment. He died on 31st July 1917. He was the son of Mr & Mrs Bramston Wright, of Blackmore, Ingatestone Essex.

His name is not commemorated at Blackmore.

The ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ includes the following citation:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=912142

Monday, 27 October 2008

Ninety Years On. Remembering the First World War (15)

Extract from ‘Notes For A Parish History’ (ERO T/P 188/3) written by Revd. E. H. L Reeve of Stondon Massey (Essex).

27th October 1918

A Mr Briscoe with his wife and child has come to the farm-house at Little Myles. He was some time ago badly injured in the spine and head by the explosion of a mine in France which has rendered him unfit for travelling to London as he did before the War, and for brain-work in the City. He is to do light work, but at times is prostrate through effects of the shock. It seems doubtful if he will ever entirely recover strength and has lost weight.

General Allenby has taken Aleppo, the great junction of the Baghdad railway, and has thus cut off the communication of the Turkish armies with Constantinople through Asia Minor.

Next entry: 1st November 1918

Stondon Massey: Remembering ... Herbert Hasler

Herbert Hasler survived being “torpedoed twice on the same day by two vessels (31st December 1917) en route from Marseilles to Alexandria” and marched on to Palestine where he was ‘gassed’. (An account of his experience was recorded by Revd. Reeve on 12th October 1918). Although he returned home, “he never fully recovered” and died on 21st June 1920, aged 32. “He was accorded a full military funeral” and was buried in Stondon churchyard three days later. “One grieves to think how many a man up and down the country must have succumbed to this sad complaint. A company of 21 Soldiers with sergeant and bugler from the Middlesex Regt. kindly attending from Hendon: Hasler having served in the 3/10 Bn. of this Regiment. They brought a Union Jack wherewith to drape the “coffin”, and a party of six acted as bearers. The firing party fired three volley over the grave at the conclusion of the service, and the bugler sounded the ‘Last Post’”.

The ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ includes the following citation:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2757731

Sunday, 26 October 2008

North Weald: War Memorial

Names commemorated:

Leonard Bard
William J Burling
Robert Broad
George L Bridges
John P Chambers
John Crow
George E Day
William J Dawes
John R Eymon
Jacob J Foster
Thomas J Freshwater
William A Fry
Walter J Glasscock
Christopher King
Leonard L King
Charles H McLaren
Albert W Lowen
George Maynard
James Nash
Arthur Newman
Cecil A Oakley
William C Pomfrett
Eric L Powell
John Smith
A Stannard
William Stevens
Charles Thake
Charles Thompson
Peter Turner
Edmund C Turner
Montague Winch