Blackmore: Remembrance Sunday and Rededication of War Memorial

A Service was held at the War Memorial today to remember those who had given their lives in the First World War and all subsequent conflicts. It also marked the day of the rededication of the War Memorial and the time-honoured observance of "two minutes' silence". The Service was conducted by Revd. Toni Smith, Vicar of Blackmore.

The following are extracts from the Order of Service:
"There have been many people and organisations involved in the refurbishment of this memorial stone, and our thanks go to them all.
"We, the people of Blackmore and surrounding communities, now have a true war memorial as we re-dedicate it this day.
"Long may it help preserve the memory of those valient soldiers, who selflessly gave their lives for our freedom. Let it be a reminder to us and future generations that our way of life and independence was brought about through their sacrifice.
"We are here today to remember, we are here today to pray for, and to commit ourselves to the cause of peace and justice throughout the world. Lord in Your Mercy ...
"Hear our prayer".

After the last post, played by members of the Fullwell Brass Band; two minutes silence; and, The Reveille, representatives from within the local community and other members of the public came forward to lay wreaths and offer other symbols of remembrance and hope. "We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!" was sung to the tune Finlandia. There followed closing prayers and the blessing.

A Prayer of Dedication

"On this Remembrance Sunday we come, O Lord, in gratitude for all who endured pain that we might know joy, for all who suffered imprisonment that we might know freedon. Turn our deep feeling now into determination, and our determination into deed, that as men and women died for peace, we may live for peace for the sake of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen".

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore: War Memorial Recarved

Blackmore’s ninety year old War Memorial has recently been cleaned and re-engraved with the names of those who enlisted for King and Country during the First World War. In total there are 102 names recorded: 21 who died, plus a further 81 who served. The work was commissioned by the Parish Council, who is custodian of this edifice.

The War Memorial, which stands on The Green, 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” [Essex County Chronicle. 12th November 1920].

The work was undertaken because the names carved had weathered over time and become difficult to read. The Parish Council did not however have a workable transcription so a small group of local historians got together and worked on a project to investigate the lives of those commemorated, and to decipher the faded letters ‘C’ and ‘G’ in particular. Was the person remembered Charles or George?

The war casualties turned out to be relatively easy to identify, because many of the names are also included on a window in the village church. Also, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a lot of information on casualties, published on a website. As we looked at a number of sources we discovered the names of other men, not listed, who were said to be associated with Blackmore but died during the Great War, as it was known then. The Military Genealogy website gave a number of names of individuals who were either born in Blackmore, Essex or were resident in Blackmore, not to mention Blackmoor and other misspellings of the parish name. After discounting Blackmore End, which is near Wethersfield in Essex, we had compiled a list of 45 men, not 21, who had fallen. The task was to verify whether these had a Blackmore connection. With the survivors listed, this was to be a family history research project on an epic scale with a list approaching 125 names.

We decided early in the project to advise the Parish Council that the War Memorial should be faithfully re-carved and that names should not be added: we would not tinker with history.

Researching the survivors presented a more difficult problem, but we still found a surprising number of useful sources of information. The 1911 census told us who was living in the village just before the outbreak of war. In 1918, for the first time all men could vote, so that told us who was living in the village at the end of the war. Then there are records of the medals that were awarded to all in the Army at the end of the conflict, which confirm which regiment people fought in.

The early release of the 1911 census proved a godsend to our work. Personal possession of Blackmore’s 1910 Electoral Register proved useful too as did the 1918 roll available online. Many absent voters listed revealed the identity of some of the survivors, and sadly positive identification of one of the victims, Albert Edward Barker, as landlord of The Bull public house who had been killed a year earlier. We made several visits to the excellent Essex Record Office, making lists of Blackmore male baptisms and marriages, looking at the Sunday School Admissions Register, and numerous other documents including the Ongar and District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour, which we realised was the frequent source of errors in names of the fallen. The Vicar and churchwardens generously allowed us to make a transcript of the Burial Register dating after 1893, kept in the church safe and not housed in any archive anywhere. We ‘enlisted’ the help of the Essex branch of the Western Front Association and made regular contact with the curator at the recently reopened Essex Regiment Museum in Chelmsford. Above all we used the existing ‘Blackmore Area Local History’ website and partner blog to update the world on progress and encourage descendents to contact us – which they did in large numbers offering all kinds of useful information, and photographs of the people. We were able to share our work and help others fill in their family stories, which is always a pleasure to do. At the time of writing we have positively identified all but one name: S Ball.

War Memorials were, of course, erected because loved ones were either lost or buried in some foreign field. Very often the names inscribed are those who lived in the parish at the time. It came as no surprise to us to find names of those not remembered who were born in Blackmore but had moved away or were resident for only a short time in the village. These epitaphs are by no means then a definitive list of those who died in the Great War since there are errors of omission as well as commission. We find, for example, four names of the twenty-one commemorated also listed on the Doddinghurst War Memorial tablet inside All Saints’ Church.

The result of our work is now published online (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ ) with work well in progress to reproduce a copy as a book running to around 150 pages for future reference by the Parish Council and researchers visiting the Essex Record Office. These will form a permanent record and the meagre contribution of our generation to their remembrance.

“We will remember them”.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (14)

Blackmore's War Memorial will be rededicated on Remembrance Sunday, 14 November, following its cleaning and re-engraving by the Parish Council. The service starts on The Green at 10.50am.

Meanwhile the Blackmore War Memorial Research Project Group is finalising publication on this site (and http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ ) and creating a permanent record in book form for local archives.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (13)

In an earlier update (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/04/blackmore-war-memorial-project-3.html ) I reported that we had six names of survivors carved on the War Memorial that we were having difficulty identifying. Many of them were as a result of doubts over the letters ‘C’ or ‘G’. The Group has whittled the list down to just one unidentified name: S Ball. Who is he? Can you help?

Pte C Hasler Essex turned out to be George Hasler (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/06/blackmore-hasler-family.html).

Sec Lt G V Jasper M.G.C. turned out to be Charles Victor Jasper (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/06/blackmore-jasper-family.html).

Pte C Wray. Labour C. turned out to be George Wray. (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/05/blackmore-wray-family.html)

Sgt./Mec. C. Pratt R.A.F. is believed to be Arthur Cecil Pratt. (http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/05/blackmore-pratt-family.html)

A/M L. Ingram R.N.E.S. was found on the 1922 Electoral Roll as living at Wyatts. His name is Leslie Ingram.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (12)

The process of entering details of those who fell in the Great War who lived or are associated with Blackmore. Is complete. For a list and links to pages go to http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwone.html

Meanwhile work appears to have lapsed temporarily on the War Memorial. As of this evening, the faces are blank and awaiting recarving.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (11)

Research into the names of those who fell in the Great War associated with Blackmore has reached the conclusion of its main phase. Of the 45 listed there were three names which warranted further research. It can now be confirmed that Herbert Larke was never a Blackmore resident but his parents moved to the village after the First World War in 1923/24. We will commemorate him as an individual associated with Blackmore because the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his parents as Blackmore residents. Ernest Samuel Knight has been traced successfully to Blackmore, albeit that he actually lived over the parish boundary in Fryerning. His story will be told soon on this blog. The third, Frank Leslie Stokes Oliver, despite a claim of Blackmoor birth appears to have no connection with the village. Our complete list reads as follows:

Date Died / Name / Rank / Notes
28-Aug-14. Walter Brazier. Stoker.
08-Sep-14. Frederick Garnham. Private. Highwood commemoration
23-Sep-14. Bertie Millbank. Private
14-May-15. Gerald Wellesley Pigott. Sec. Lieut.
17-May-15. Frederick Root. Private. Highwood commemoration
28-Jun-15. Alfred George Ellis. Private
08-Aug-15. Walter Ovel. Private
02-Apr-16. Walter Malyon. Private. Kelvedon Hatch commemoration
16-Aug-16. Herbert Charles Game. Private
16-Aug-16. William Edward Rudling. Private
22-Sep-16. John Crane. Sergeant. High Ongar commemoration
27-Sep-16. Ernest Charles Martin. Private
30-Sep-16. Ian A Miller. Sec. Lieut.
14-Oct-16. Bertie Cowling. Private. Kelvedon Hatch commemoration
15-Oct-16. Herbert Game. Sergeant
23-Oct-16. Arthur John Nash. Private
05-Nov-16. James Gosling. Private
13-Nov-16. John King. Private. Kelvedon Hatch commemoration
19-Jan-17. Edwin Alexander. A/B
16-Apr-17. Wallace King. Bombardier. High Ongar commemoration
28-Apr-17. Harry Riglin. Private
28-Apr-17. James Roast. Private
08-May-17. Alfred Godding. Bombardier
05-Jun-17. Alfred Wheal. Private
27-Jun-17. Ernest Albert Maynard. Lance Corporal
31-Jul-17. George William Wright. Private. High Ongar commemoration
10-Oct-17. Albert Edward Barker. Private
06-Nov-17. Herbert James Brown. Lieutenant
02-Jan-18. Ernest Samuel Knight. Private
20-Jan-18. George William White. Private
21-Mar-18. Herbert Larke. Private
18-Sep-18. Charles Root. Private. Highwood commemoration
26-Sep-18. Charles Speller. Private
14-Oct-18. Joseph Thomas. Private
21-Oct-18. Herbert Miller. Private
24-Oct-18. David Sutton. Private
25-Oct-18. Charles Wash. Driver
02-Nov-18. Frank Leslie Stokes Oliver. Private. No local trace
05-Nov-18. William Willis White. Private
12-Nov-18. William Wilsher Fixter. Private
24-Nov-18. Edward Sutton. Gunner
05-Jun-19. Walter Herbert Wash. A/B
02-Jul-19. William Henry Scudder. A/Mech
1921. Frank James Monk. Corporal. Survivor
1923. Jacob Wiltshire. Private. Survivor

We are continuing to look for information about any of the above and, in particular, any photographs. If you are a relative we would be very pleased to hear from you and add your story.

Blackmore: War Memorial

A video of work in progress on Blackmore War Memorial - taken at 6.20am on Friday 14 May 2010. The refurbishment is being undertaken by Bennetts, the long-established Brentwood firm of funeral directors and monumental masons. Blackmore, Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council (to give the full title) are custodians of the memorial and have commissioned this work.

Blackmore: War Memorial

Work in progress to clean and re-engrave Blackmore's War Memorial
(photo taken 12 May 2010)

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (10)

Thirty seven new pages have been added to the main website which will, in due course, contain details of individual men who gave their lives in the First World War. 31 pages are those who have clear Blackmore connections. A further three each are associated with High Ongar and Highwood. The Blackmore World War One page (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwone.html) is being changed to create an index to accommodate the new pages. The list of those recorded on Blackmore’s War Memorial who returned from War has been updated (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwonesurvivors.html). In addition the Highwood War Memorial has been transcribed (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/writtle.html) and a photograph of the High Ongar War Memorial with those names commemorated added (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/high_ongar.html).

Although the War Memorial does not record any names of those from the Second World War, a webpage has been created and updated relating to this conflict (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_ww2.html). Sixty five years after the close of WW2 we remember those who died and those who served too.

Finally a new webpage has been created with photographs relating to Blackmore and the First World War. Go to the ‘Great War Gallery’ page (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/great_war_gallery.html). We are on the lookout for more photographs. Do send them in with your stories.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (9)

Work is scheduled to begin today restoring Blackmore’s War Memorial on the village green. The Essex branch of the Western Front Association has expressed pleasure that the work is under way.

Michael Livings, who has contacted the Project because he is a descendant of some of those remembered writes:

“I'm so pleased to hear that work is underway. It really is the very least that can be done to honour those who gave their lives for us. Having a connection with one of the fallen, I can see by the number of children that were common to families at the time and it gave me pause to think how very many lives were affected. I've looked at the size of some contemporary Livings family members and 10 children were not uncommon. It's dreadful to think how many little children nationwide lost their Father and with the passing of years, I think that we have forgotten this.

“I look forward to watching for further updates to you ever more impressive site.”

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (8)

The Blackmore War Memorial Research Project Group completed its list of inscriptions last week and has sent it to the Clerk of Blackmore Hook End and Wyatts Green Parish Council for forwarding to the engraver.

This has fulfilled one of the objectives to ensure that the transcript is accurate. “I am therefore sending you an update of the inscription, which corrects a great many errors in the original list you sent me [last autumn]. I have not corrected one error – the misspelling of the name Jopson – as we are confident that this was an error in the original carving.”

Work to clean and re-carve the War Memorial begins week commencing 3 May 2010 so this phase of the project was completed in the nick of time.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (7)

The steadily increasing publication of work of the Group is generating interest from family members of those who lived in Blackmore connected with the First World War as well as the local press asking for a news story.

Our information to the Brentwood Gazette provides information about the re-carving to the War Memorial, to take place soon, as well as the discovery of details for almost all of the names inscribed. The link to the Blackmore Area Local History website http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/ is also given.

The beginning of a major update of the site has commenced. ‘Follow the Poppy’ logo to the mini site currently under construction. This will include the creation of a commemorative page for each of those who gave their lives from Blackmore and some from neighbouring parishes. The first stage is to put the templates in place then fill each page with the relevant detail. Inputting the detail will be lengthy task but the target is to have the site completed by the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the War Memorial, which is 7 November.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (6)

The Group has almost completed its research on those who died in the First World War associated with Blackmore. From a list of 45 candidates (one was added very recently: Herbert Game), 31 have been positively identified with a Blackmore connection with 3 warranting further research. There are two candidates who should be regarded as survivors. The remaining 9 are not connected with Blackmore. In addition to the five listed on 11.4.10:

- Frederick and Charles Root both lived at Horsfrith, which is in Highwood parish
- John Crane and Wallace King are associated with High Ongar and are commemorated on that War Memorial.

The intention is to honour them on pages linked to the appropriate parish.

An updated list can be found on http://blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/2010/05/blackmore-war-memorial-project-11.html

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (5)

With the renovation of the War Memorial imminent the Group has met to agree its definitive list of names for recarving. Followers of this blog will be aware that the inscriptions of World War One victims and survivors are badly faded and that certain letters, particularly 'C' and 'G' notoriously difficult to decipher. With the aid of photographs digitally enhanced in PhotoShop and rubbings it has been possible to work out the lettering and superscripts and reconcile these to various source documents. So we know now who among the survivors is George and who is Charles. Our list will be passed to the Parish Council, the custodians of the War Memorial, so that the stonemasons can undertake an accurate refurbishment. Work is due to begin next week (week commencing 3 May 2010).

The Blackmore War Memorial Research Project Group has assigned names to all but one individual carved on the monument (S Ball is a complete mystery) although a handful are, and probably will remain, educated guesses.

Researching around 125 names from the early twentieth century has been, and no doubt will be as more information comes to light, a huge undertaking - and extremely enjoyable. The Group is not content to stop at this point and has always had the objective to publish it findings. This will be done in full online on the main website, with an accompanying file produced hard copy to ensure longevity, plus shorter articles of interest to the more general reader.

Winston Churchill famously said, "This is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning". As the Group moves its emphasis from research to publication that comment seems very apt. There is much to be done.

Blackmore: War Memorial Project (4)

The group has been researching the names of 125 men either commemorated on the Blackmore War Memorial as those who died or those who survived the First World War, or those who gave their lives who may be associated with the Essex village in some way or another. At the last meeting five names were established as not having a connection with Blackmore. These are:

- Bertie Cowling, who has a strong association with Navestock and Kelvedon Hatch;
- Fred Garnham, who although his residency was given as Blackmore is more associated with Stondon Massey then Highwood and Roxwell;
- John King, connected with Kelvedon Hatch;
- Walter Malyon, who has a connection with Kelvedon Hatch and South Weald; and
- George William Wright, who although has a residency given as Blackmore (and previously thought to be a Blackmore man) was, in fact, living near Rookery Farm just over the Blackmore boundary in High Ongar.

Fred Garnham is already honoured on the website and G W Wright's place will be changed to High Ongar once publication nears completion. The Kelvedon Hatch men will be remembered on this blog.