About two hundred people gathered at Chandler’s Ford war memorial for Remembrance Sunday service and laying of wreaths this morning.
From 10am this morning, many people started walking towards the war memorial on Hursley Road at St. Boniface church. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 2016
On Remembrance Sunday on the 8th of November in 2015, people from Chandler’s Ford remembered and honoured the fallen.
180 people assembled outside St. Boniface Church at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial as poppies were laid at the foot of the memorial. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
Last Saturday (28th February 2015), Chandler’s Ford historian Barbara Hillier shared a poignant story of her great uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier, who died on the 7th of October 1916 in action in France, aged only 30.
Barbara’s storytelling was linked with a unique memorial plaque, which was once lost, but was never forgotten.
It was a story about a conscientious objector who later changed his mind, his love for his family, [Read more…] about Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque
On the 7th of October 1916, 30-year-old Wilfred Herbert Hillier from Chandler’s Ford was killed in action in France. There was no known grave.
You’ll find Wilfred Herbert Hillier’s name on Chandler’s Ford War Memorial.
This post tells you the story of a lost and found plaque for Wilfred Herbert Hillier, [Read more…] about In Loving Memory of Wilfred Herbert Hillier
We published 45 posts in November this year.
Our posts in November centred on Remembrance, Christmas markets / fayres, and history (Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester, the Hutments).
November we also carried stories of charitable work (Jubilee Sailing Trust, Kenya Project UK), theatre review (Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense), community news (road safety and burglaries in Chandler’s Ford), nature (woodpecker in Hiltingbury), and many more. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Today November 2014 Round-up
Whilst visiting London on business a few weeks ago I made the time to wander down to the Tower of London to have a look at the poppy artwork installation, which has received quite a bit of positive commentary.
My visit was at the end of October so the artwork wasn’t complete but a substantial portion of it was done as you may see from the few pictures that I took. [Read more…] about The Poppies At The Tower Of London
As Remembrance Sunday services were held around the UK today, this morning, people of Chandler’s Ford gathered to honour the fallen in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
People of Chandler’s Ford gathered at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial outside the parish church – St. Boniface Church, where a poignant service was held. [Read more…] about Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 9 November 2014
My son and I visited Eastleigh Museum during the half term holiday.
We saw a WW1 exhibition called Soldiers’ Journey. It is a multi-venue exhibition that portrays Hampshire’s critical role throughout the First World War.
I was attracted by beautiful buntings, which adorned the walls on the walkway to the hall.
[Read more…] about Eastleigh Bunting & Eastleigh Museum WW1 Poetry Evening
We have had an extremely busy October this year.
Here are some highlights of the posts published in October 2014.
It is a good time to subscribe to the blog of Chandler’s Ford Today, to keep yourself up-to-date with stories, debates, and events in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Today October 2014 Round-up
I am no expert on WW1 and am therefore not in a position to provide a detailed account of the Gallipoli Campaign.
As I understand it, the idea had been to create a new front, as the war on the Western Front had become a stalemate, with troops from both sides staring at each other from a line of trenches which stretched from the English Channel to the Swiss border. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 5
The re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial took place this afternoon (Sunday 19th October at 3pm) outside St. Boniface Church at the War Memorial.
It was a moving service. Every name of the fallen who were commemorated on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial was read out. [Read more…] about Re-dedication of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
From the website of the Parish Church:
“There will be a short ecumenical re-dedication service for the recently renovated Chandler’s Ford War Memorial on Sunday 19th October at 3.00pm. All welcome. ” (Parish of Chandler’s Ford)
I walked past Chandler’s Ford War Memorial [Read more…] about Re-dedication Service For Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
This month I thought I would focus on the Wilson brothers: Major and acting Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stuart Wilson, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Lieutenant Commander John Skinner Wilson, HMS Indefatigable.
The brothers were killed in action in the same year, John on 31st May, Harry three months later on 9th September 1916. A tragic loss for their parents. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 4
I expect many of you will have seen the fantastic work that has been undertaken on our war memorial over the last few weeks?
Stonemason Jon, of Blackmore and Moody has indeed done a good job. It is now possible to easily read the names of those brave men, and of course, that of Margaret Caswell, the only women whose name appears on the memorial. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 3
Have you noticed the refreshing new look of the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial? It is improving each day I see it.
Jon Tann from Blackwell and Moody Ltd in Winchester is renovating the war memorial.
In the past few weeks, you would have seen Jon kneeling, crouching, stooping by the war memorial on Hursley Road, outside St. Boniface Church. [Read more…] about Renovating Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
My research on the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial is progressing well. I have found out quite a lot and thought I would share some of this with you all.
My starting point has been a list complied by Martin Edwards (2006) as part of National project by the Royal British Legion to make a record of all war memorials. This list gives full christian names, number, rank, regiment and also information regarding when and where they were killed. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial Research: Part 2
Centenary of World War One 1914 -1918
Commemorations of the Fallen of World War One will start this year and continue through the next four years until the end of 2018. It is not intended that these commemorations are in any way an attempt to glorify war but rather a way of an acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by millions of people, both military and civilian. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford War Memorial. Can You Help?
When you walk along Hursley Road in Chandler’s Ford, outside the Parish Church, do you ever pause and look at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial? Do you ever read the names on the stones?
Chandler’s Ford resident Hazel Bateman told me this story of the War Memorial at the St. Boniface Church, Parish of Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Story Of Chandler’s Ford War Memorial
Something that guidebooks to Eastleigh tell you is that the design of the town’s war memorial is “very unusual”.
What provides this distinction is the figure of the Angel of Mons on the top.
However, as far as I know, none of the guidebooks explain why Eastleigh does have an angel [Read more…] about Eastleigh War Memorials
