Area: "High Country History Group" Journal No 31

The Quarterly Journal of the High Country History Group has just been issued to members. It contains a number of items about and beyond the local area including:
- White’s Directory of Essex 1848: Theydon Garnon
- Piggotts and Rockets
- Stanford Rivers School Foundation Committee 1851
- What the Papers Say
- Mrs Charles Hunter, of Hill Hall
- Revd. E H L Reeve – Chronicler of the Great War (previously published on this blog)
- Events following the Armistice (previously published on this blog)
- England in the Days of Old (previously published on this blog)
- The Magic Lantern

Magic Lantern Show. On 4 December members and friends of the High Country History Group enjoyed a special evening given by Richard Rigby, Secretary of the Magic Lantern Society. Richard and his wife, dressed in costume, took the audience back to the days before wireless and television showing a variety of slides dating from the Edwardian era and before using a contemporary projector. Members saw a comedy slide show of a short and tall man going on a picnic only to be chased by a tiger; the traveller in bed at Epping, who when he snored swallowed a rat – it causing outrage to the sensitive Victorians; scenes of London and a story warning of the dangers of ‘The Bottle’. Seasonal refreshments were served and profits for this ticket event were divided between the Essex Air Ambulance and Haven Hospice.

For a copy of the High Country History Group Journal you need to be a member. This costs £6 per year (£9 for family). In addition a series of talks are held at Toot Hill Village Hall during the winter season (members £1, non members £2 – includes coffee and biscuits) a summer walk or visit is organised.

For membership and further information contact this blog.

Theydon Garnon: War Memorial

The War Memorial Tablet for Theydon Garnon can be found inside the village church on the east wall of the north aisle. It reads:

AMDC
In affectionate remembrance
of those who fell in the Great War
1914 – 1919
The Parish set up this record

Major Adam Dickson Bell 4th Hussars
Capt. Atherton Harold Chisenhale-Marsh 9th Lancers
Capt. Philip Everard Graham Marsh RAF
Lieut. James Craig Royal Air Force
Lieut. Harold Clement Montague Lucas 2nd Ghurkuas
Lieut. Walter Austin Rowley 8th Leicestershire
Lieut. St George Swaine Showers 2nd Essex Regt.
Rev. Arthur Henry Marsh Chaplain USA
Sergt. Edward Downham 2nd Battn Kings Royal Rifles
Seaman Arthur Betts Royal Naval Reserve
Pte. Charles Edward Banford 9th Essex
Pte. William Burton 17th Middlesex
Pte. John North Davis Queen Victoria Rifles
Pte. Thomas Edgar 1st Battn Essex Regt.
Pte. Jesse Freshwater 1st Battn Essex Regt.
Pte. Percy Freshwater 1st Battn Essex Regt.
Rfn. Edward Alfred Furlong Kings Royal Rifles
Gunner James Hardy Royal Field Artillery
Pte. Ernest Law 10th Yorks & Lancs Regt.
Pte. Alfred James Love 9th Battn Rifle Brigade
Pte. Ernest Albert Love 1st Battn Essex Regt.
Pte. Ernest Ratcliffe 1st Battn Essex Regt.
Pte. Albert Edward Shoat Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regt.
Pte. William James Stevens 4th Royal Fusiliers
Pte. Walter Stubbings Royal Army Service Corps
Pte. Samuel Arthur Wade 15th Battn Essex Regt.
Gunner Sidney George Wade Royal Field Artillery

Qui procul bine
Qui ante diem perierunt
Sed milites sed pro patria


There must have been only one person in the area by the name of St George Swaine Showers. Revd. Reeve of Stondon Massey wrote: “Nephew of Mr Swaine Chisenhale Marsh of Gaynes Park Epping. He often visited a relative, Mr Cleave, as a lad who for a while rented the Soap-house [Farm]. He was wounded in July 1916, and for some time in the Military Hospital at Chatham. On Aug 9 1917 he was killed at Bapeausme” [ERO T/P 188/3 f747]. His name also appears on the War Memorial tablet at Doddinghurst.

Doddinghurst: War Memorial

The War Memorial Tablet for Doddinghurst can be found inside the village church on the south wall.

It reads:

Dulce Est Pro Patria Mori
To the Glory of God and in ever honoured memory
Of the following officers and men
Who laid down their lives for their country
In the Great War, 1914 – 1918

2nd Lieut. Gerald Pigott RFA
Lieut. S St George Swaine Showers Essex Regt.
Pte. Arthur Benton Essex Regt.
Pte James Roast Essex Regt.
Pte Arthur Hammond Essex Regt.
Pte. Harry Benton Middlesex Regt.
Pte. George Everett Suffolk Regt
Pte. Harry Riglin Suffolk Regt.
Pte. George Hammond Suffolk Regt.
Pte. Herbert Miller E. Surrey Regt.

“Their Name Liveth For Evermore”


The War Memorial tablet includes the names of men also commemorated on the War memorial at Blackmore: Gerald Pigott (see entry 18.9.08), James Roast (see entry 2.10.08), Harry Riglin (see entry 1.10.08) and Herbert Miller (see entry 21.10.08).

St George Swaine Showers’ name also appears on the War Memorial tablet at Theydon Garnon. I do not know of his connection with Doddinghurst. There must have been only one person in the area of that name and rank. Revd. Reeve of Stondon Massey wrote: “Nephew of Mr Swaine Chisenhale Marsh of Gaynes Park Epping. He often visited a relative, Mr Cleave, as a lad who for a while rented the Soap-house [Farm]. He was wounded in July 1916, and for some time in the Military Hospital at Chatham. On Aug 9 1917 he was killed at Bapeausme” [T/P 188/3 f747].

This leads me to believe that there are several errors of omission and commission on memorials across the area, of Essex and probably the country as a whole.