Woodstock Remembers WWI

Banner outside methodist

Students were invited to attend an informal drop in session to talk with members of the community about Godfrey Ballard and other WW1 soldiers who still have connections with Woodstock today.

A display of work by Alice Hipkiss & Isabel Wheeler, the students behind the WW1 project was exhibited in the church and Isabel was able to join us for the session.

The principal aim of this particular exercise was for young and old to share the experience and their knowledge of WW1 and the aftermath & Woodstock as it was, a much smaller town than today. This was a valuable exercise for the pupils involved, and gave members of the community the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with the younger generation. This activity was stimulating for all involved, and a great way of learning for the students, as well as building a better relationship between the different generations.

The project which has Heritage Lottery Funding focuses on research into the First World War using local resources so that information can be shared through this website. The project came about after the opportunity to visit the Battlefields with the award winning programme ‘110 Legacy’ delivered by the UCL Institute of Education and Equity. The project will enable local people in Woodstock to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of those that died in the First World War.

We had a lovely session with our visitors who enjoyed looking at the Ballard exhibition and sharing information with us about Woodstock and how it had changed from a small Town where everyone knew each other to the Town it is today with several housing estates and lots more traffic.

Pat Crutch told Edwin that her father had fought in WW1 and she still has photographs of him in uniform.

Pat’s Cousin Ernest fought in WWII and died in India. Her father was an ARP Warden and her cousin was in the Atlantic convoys. Pat remembered army convoys coming past the road at the end of the day. She had a friend who was one of the Evacuees.

Woodstock had a lot of different shops, much less traffic and when you heard a siren you stayed under the table.

Pat thought it very important for young people to remember the war.

Thanks go to the Methodist Church for their warm welcome and encouragement.

Audrey with students

Students Edwin, Holly & Erin listen to Audrey’s account of Woodstock in WWII and the evacuees that were sent to live next door with her Aunt and Uncle, who had no children of their own. She remembers playing with them along with her brother & sister. As a child Audrey had her own ration book and still has it today. Audrey remembers the tanks that shook her house as they went past and the air raid siren. Audrey’s cousin George Smith was in the Navy. His ship was bombed and he died at the age of 20. All young men at this time had to do National Service, including Audrey’s brother.

Audrey’s husband Charles was named after his Uncle Charles who fought and lost his life in WWI. He is listed on Woodstock War Memorial

GILLIAN WITH BOARD BEHIND METHODIST

Gillian Neller shares information of her relative, Herbert Taylor, with Isabel.

Life was difficult and they were quite poor. Her Grandfather suffered as a result of gassing in the First World War. Gillian’s father Sidney Arthur Taylor was a grocer in what is today the Buttery in High Street, Gillian was born in one of the bedrooms.

She remembers Woodstock as a magical place to grow up. Blenheim was not open to the public but you were able to play in the park. Everything was rationed but there was a sweet shop near to the house where they were allowed to go at weekends.

She felt it was definitely important to remember WWI and more research to be shown to young people.

Gillian’s Great Uncle was Herbert Taylor (HB Taylor) and is listed on Woodstock War Memorial with her Grandfather Sydney John Taylor.

Gillian had many more memories of WWI & WWII that have been written down for the project and had a lovely time with students.

ITEM BROUGHT TO METHODIST

Julie’s information was about both wars.

Edward Gibbs was lost at sea aged 20 in 1915 and commemorated on the Helles Memorial Turkey. He enlisted in 1914 and embarked on 28^th July 1915 on the HMT Royal Edward (an ex ocean liner) together with 1,366 officers and men which was torpedoed and sunk. Some ships nearby managed to save about 660 men. Most of the men were below decks and drowned.

In WW2 her father took Prime Minister Anthony Eden on a destroyer to Russia. The boat was HMS Kent which carried supplies.

They presented him with a Reindeer called Olga as a mascot. He brought it back and gave it to London Zoo.

Not something you hear every day!

Her mother was in the Wrens. She volunteered at the age of 16 in Norfolk and cooked for the Captains.

Julie, left us with a book of poetry and a photograph of Edward Gibbs sister.