I have recently been contacted by Matthews great great grandson with some family information to add to Matthews story. I would like to thank Kevin for his input and for adding a personal touch to Matthews webpage.
Matthews story can be found here
OLD WHITTINGTON WAR MEMORIAL AND JOSEPH SYDDALL
Joseph Syddall designed the Memorials for Old Whittington and Dronfield and I have been lucky enough to see the original pencil drawing by Joseph Syddall of his design for Old Whittington. I found an extra surprise when I visited Chesterfield Museum as they also have a photograph of the war Memorial when it was originally dedicated together with an Order of Service from the Unveiling and Dedication ceremony on February 20th 1921.
I was allowed to take photographs of these items and these can be seen on https://oldwhittingtonops.com/old-whittington-war-memorials/ orhttps://oldwhittingtonops.com/joseph-syddall/
Photo courtesy of Chesterfield Museum
The Memorial in 1921.
WE REMEMBER TODAY
We remember George Thorne who died 8th June 1917, he was 19 years old.
He is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extension and is remembered on old Whittington and The Brushes War Memorial.
You can read more about George here https://oldwhittingtonops.com/thorne-george/
WE REMEMBER IN JUNE
The following men who died in WW1 during June and are remembered on Old Whittington and The Brushes War Memorial.
George Thorne Died 8th June 1917
John T Bunting Died 14th June 1916
Thomas Mason Died 15th June 1917
John Smith Died 19th June 1915
Joseph Thurman Died 28th June 1918
The Soldier
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)
WE REMEMBER TODAY
We remember Fred Mitchell who died 100 years ago today, 30th May 1918. He was 33 years old.
He is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery and remembered on Old Whittington War Memorials.
I will be researching Freds story soon and if any descendants of Fred would like to add any information or photographs then I would love to hear from you.
WE REMEMBER TODAY
We remember H Green who died 100 years ago today on 25th May 1918.
He was 18 years old.
He is buried in St Bartholomews Churchyard and remembered on Old Whittington and The Brushes War Memorials.
I haven’t finished my research about Harry Green yet, if any descendants of Harry have information or photographs they would like to share on the website then please contact me.
WE REMEMBER TODAY
We remember Archibald Gill who died 100 years ago today on 23rd May 1918.
He was 19 years old and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery France.
He is remembered on Old Whittington and The Brushes War Memorial.
His story can be found here
