Church seeking descendants of war survivors
REMEMBRANCE Day is faithfully observed across the country each year, and 2018 will carry extra significance, marking as it does the one hundredth anniversary of the end of the Great War.
Ahead of the event, Hurst Hill Methodist Church in Coseley would like to put out an appeal for information, as they are hoping to welcome some special guests to their Remembrance service. Church Secretary Kathryn Williams writes:
“Along with almost every other place of worship throughout the land, Hurst Hill Methodist Church set up a memorial to the men of the church who died in the conflict, but Can Lane, as it is affectionately known, decided to also homour ALL of the men – and one woman – of the area who served their country, and survived to return home.
“To commemorate the fallen a new pulpit was commissioned and the names of those who died were inscribed on a panel at the front of it. The names are: Rev W.H. Dimmock Harry Oliver Allen William John Allden William Burton James Baugh Walter Lawrence Baker John William Cox Simeon Richards Thomas William Rudge Isaac Smallman Frank Smallman George Shepard Howard Turner Samuel Williams. “To honour the survivors, a choir screen was built behind the pulpit, and the names of those appearing on the Roll of Honour were inscribed on seven panels across the width of the screen.
“The names of the fallen are still on the pulpit, along with those who died in the Second World War.
“Unfortunately, the panels on the screen were taken down some years ago, we think to treat woodworm in the screen. Sadly they were never replaced, and there is no one alive now who remembers what happened to them. An exhaustive search of the premises has proved fruitless –we can’t find ’em!
“However, I have one of the Orders of Service which were printed for the unveiling and dedication of the memorials, on March 26, 1921, and the names on the Roll of Honour are printed on it.
Special Service
“So, finally, I come to my reason for writing to the Bugle. Hurst Hill will be holding a special service on Remembrance Sunday – which will be Armistice Day – on November 11 at 10.30am. We would be love to be able to trace as many of the descendants of those named as possible, to extend to them an invitation to attend the service.
“If they could supply a few details of their ancestor, together with a photograph, we would like to put them on display in the church, to honour their memory. Photos from the time may no longer exist, but one taken in later years would be equally welcome, to put a face to the name. All photos would of course be returned.
“One of the names on the Roll of Honour – I. Love – is that of my maternal grandfather. Another, – Sidney Williams – was my paternal great uncle. I remember both of them very well, and I have a photograph of my grandfather in uniform!
“It is of course right that we remember those who gave their lives in the ‘War to end all wars’, as well as in later conflicts, but we should also not forget those who lived through it, but who were mentally scarred and in many, many cases haunted by it for the rest of their lives.”
You can call Hurst Hill Methodist Church on 01902 492052.