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RADWINTER SOCIETY

Radwinter War Memorial Explained

An enthralling illustrated presentation on Radwinter Fallen During the Two World Wars was given in Radwinter Village Hall by Stan Sutherland on 12^th October, based on his researches into the history on the Radwinter War Memorial.

Those who braved the foul weather to attend learned about the brave men who gave their lives during the two great world wars, their next of kin, the battles in which they died, their final resting places and their memorials.

Many men were serving in some very unlikely regiments when they died, because, as their original companies or regiments had been almost obliterated, they were absorbed into others. Stanley had found that Private Harry Colman had joined the 34^th Bn, Australian Infantry, AIF and was on a war memorial in Australia as an Australian Citizen although he was definitely a Radwinter man, born in Hempstead.

A poignant moment came when Stanley revealed that Mrs Lydia Halls of Old Hill Radwinter had lost three sons during the First World War, Leonard in 1915, Joseph in 1916, and Frederick George in 1918. For George, the last of these sons to lose his life, Mrs Halls was given as the only next of kin, her husband, Mr Edward Halls, not appearing. If she had lost a husband too, he did not appear in the list of Radwinter burials. Perhaps a surviving relative could throw some light on this.

Radwinter war hero, Private C E Andrews of the 10^th Bn Essex Regiment, who died on 3^rd April 1918, was awarded the DCM - the medal just below the Victoria Cross - for a gallant action in which he attacked a machine gun post and saved the life of his Company Sergeant Major.

The full list of those celebrated on the War Memorial is Private Bentley Andrews, Private CE Andrews, Private LC Andrews, Private George Barker, Private Edgar Charles Baynes, Major Edward Bullock, Private Charles Carter, Leading Aircraftman John William Chapman, Private Harry Colman, Private Walter Edward Cornell, Private Lionel Ernest Ellingham, Rifleman A Halls, Private Frederick George Halls, Corporal Godfrey Henry Halls, Private Joseph Halls, Private Leonard Halls, Lance Corporal, Albert Arthur Howell, Private A W Potts, Private James Potts, Private G Robinson, Private Alfred Robins, Private E J Ruse, Private George Ruse, Sergeant Arthur Sharp, Private William Spittle, Private H Swan, Private William Dudley Swan, Private William George Swan, Private James John Thake, Private William Thake, Gunner F H Turpin, Private Harry Underwood, Lieutenant J Valiant and Private Ernest Winship.

If readers would like to follow up on any these men, Stanley has kindly donated a CD of his presentation to the Radwinter Archives, so that relevant details can be printed out or e-mailed.

More Talks Planned

Further interesting talks are planned all at 8.00 p.m. in Radwinter Village Hall on the following Wednesdays next year-11^th January, 12^th April, 12^th July and 11^th October - covering Radwinter topics such as Farms, Timber Framed Buildings and the on-line catalogue of the Radwinter archives and other local records throughout Uttlesford.

Radwinter at War Book

Helpers are needed for the Radwinter at War book project. We have received over £4000 from Home Front Recall to publish this book and much valuable information was gained at our highly successful World War II exhibition. However, people are needed to take on specific aspects of the war years such as researching Radwinter people who served in the armed forces, as well as finding out more about our local Airfield, the Land Girls, ARP, Home Guard, Air Raids, Agriculture, Food, Clothing , Rationing, the Church, School, Transport, Shops and Trades - including reserved occupations, Social Life – including music and drama and, importantly, personal reminiscences of the times.

The last is an area where many people can help, either by offering their memories to be recorded on our new hi-tech recording equipment, or by becoming one of our recorders, willing to take the recorder to people in their homes and capture their memories.

Contact: Michael Southgate, Village History Recorder

Telephone 01799 599478

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