The First World War, 1914 to 1918

Most of the information on the men and woman who lived in the parish and served, was taken from the Remembrance Book, which is kept in the Church. The book was compiled by the rector, the Rev Child, who wrote it so beautifully. This is not necessarily a true record of all those who served. I have included Russell Clarke , Walter Cockerton and Peter Norris whose names are not included. Russell we know served with his brother, who was killed. Walter we know lived in the village with his parents, in Bridge Street, just before the war, any other details of when and where he was killed are not known. Peter Norris served with the army in several places including Ireland. He lived with his family at No.3 Brookside. At the start of the First World War, the population of the village was approximately 550 (509 in 1891). The number of children at school in 1896 was 59. The number of young men, and women who we know served in the Great War was 70, of those 18 were killed. This high number, as per size of population, must be attributed to the large families that were common at that time, note the number of brothers and cousins that served.

©2000 John Gunson, Village Recorder