St. Mary the Virgin Church, Chipping Norton WW1 and Parish Memorial

[mbriscoe]

Full set of images on FLICKR

 

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St. Mary the Virgin Church, Chipping Norton WW1 and Parish Memorial

SP 31164 27358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 12 May , 2019 by mbriscoe

[mbriscoe]

Plaque commemorating Lance-Corporal R. L. PInk in St. Mary the Virgin Church, Chipping Norton

 

 

 

 

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Oxfordshire Weekly News - Wednesday 05 July 1916

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LOCAL TERRITORIAL KILLED.
 It is with deep regret we record this week the death of Lance-Corporal R. L. Pink, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (Territorial), who was killed in action on June 28. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Pink, of Blenheim terrace, Chipping Norton, for whom the sincerest sympathy will be extended in the great loss they have sustained. Lance-Corporal Pink, who was only 18 years of age, was formerly in the office of Messrs. William Bliss and Son. Ltd., and as a member of the local Company of Territorials was called up on mobilisation in August, 1914. His period of training was longer than that of his comrades of the first Territorial Battalion, as, on account of his age, he was not able to proceed with them to France. In fact, he had only been in France exactly five weeks to the day of his death. The sad news was conveyed to his bereaved parents on Monday by a letter from his chum, Private C. King, and also by a letter from the Chaplain the same morning. The former said, "I am very, very sorry to have to convey to you the sad news of the death of Reg. As he was walking along the firing line last night a shot struck him in the head, and he died in a short time, remaining unconscious the few moments he was alive after being hit." He expressed his own and the sympathy of the boys of the section to the bereaved parents, adding that their deceased comrade had fulfilled his duty nobly. The Chaplain also wrote a sympathetic letter, adding that be had buried the gallant lad that afternoon in a quiet cemetery near where he was killed, and that a cross would be erected to his memory in a few days. He asked the parents to accept his deep sympathy in their com sad loss, and trusted that God would bless and them in their trial.

 

[mbriscoe]

Full set of images on FLICKR

 

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The Men of Chipping Norton War Memorial.

SP 31542 27339

Not built until 1951 and in state of disrepair in 1972 with the council wanting to demolish it.

Blue Plaque commemorating General Sir Montagu Stopford on the brick wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sueburden]

An impressive memorial. The gates in particular are stunning.

Sue

[mbriscoe]

1 hour ago, sueburden said:

An impressive memorial. The gates in particular are stunning.

Sue

 

Yes though I had to get low down to get a good image of the gate!

 

I pasted some newspaper transcripts into the IWM WMR entry (updates overnight so visible tomorrow).  A British Legion meeting in 1932 commented on there being no war memorial and seemed to suggest their members would build it themselves if necessary!  I think money was going to the War Memorial Hospital.  It was built in 1951 but in disrepair in 1972 and again appeared to be controversy about repairing it.  Very odd, you tend to associate "anti-war memorial" attitudes with more socialist areas and not somewhere like Chipping Norton. 

 

The site is very busy and noisy but I suppose that at least means people see it and know where it is.  I don't think there was a pedestrian crossing and it is a very busy road.

 

 

[Steven Broomfield]

1 hour ago, sueburden said:

An impressive memorial. The gates in particular are stunning.

Sue

 

I thought they were a bit naff, actually. 

[sueburden]

Each to their own Mr B but I like them

Sue

[Steven Broomfield]

Trouble is that they're an off-the-shelf modern production (like the very similar park benches which sprung up round the Centenary period). A bit of thught and a few bob and something original and in keeping could have been provided.

[mbriscoe]

The newspaper report said there were gates there previously.  The drive to Rockhill House (where the General on the plaque lived) started there as well as some other roads so must have been some gates as in the newspaper.

 

OS 25" map.