downsmail.co.uk
Villagers remember war dead one by one
RESIDENTS in Bearsted and Thurnham have come up with a novel way of commemorating their war dead during the cente- nary of WorldWar I. Both parish councils have agreed
to fund a wreath for each of the parishioners killed in thewar, to be laid at their home or the place where they left for service. Where this has been impossible to
trace, the wreath will be placed at the appropriatewar memorial. The project, called “We will re- member them – One by One”, will see more than 40 wreaths laid until 2018 – a century after the end of the war.
The first serviceman to die was George Henry Penfold, a chief petty officer in the Royal Navy. His name is on the Thurnham memorial. George was born in Southbor-
ough in 1877 and married Kathleen Waghorn in 1907. When George joined up it is believed the couple was living with Kathleen’s uncle, stationmaster Springfield Slingsby, at Station House inWare Street, so a
wreath was laid at Bearsted station in his memory. George died on October 15, 1914,
after his ship, HMS Hawke, was torpedoed in the North Sea. Mem- bers of the parish council, Maid- stone’s Royal Naval Association and the public joined Holy Cross vicar Rev John Corbyn at the sta- tion, where the national anthem was sung, along with a verse of ‘Eternal Father’ in recognition of the fact Georgewas in the Navy. Rev Corbyn said: “This is a real community initiative. It goes one step beyond just reading out the names on Remembrance Sunday, when individuality can be lost in
Villagers joined Rev John Corbyn at Bearsted station to lay the first wreath
the crowd. This gesture really brings it home to people that these men gave their lives for us. “I hope it is something other parishes may take on board and fol- low suit.” Much of the information about
those killed in action is published in Kathryn Kersey’s book, Dutifulness and Endurance. Bob Jennings (94), from Bearsted,
was a despatch rider in Burma in WorldWar Two. He thought the act of remembrance was a very good idea.
“Unfortunately, not all of us came
back and it is importantwe remem- ber them,” he told the Downs Mail.
News Trust to help
out at church A CHARITABLE trust is to be formed to ensure Thurnham Church remains at the heart of community life. About 20 villagers attended the meeting chaired by Archdeacon Stephen Taylor to discuss how St Mary’s could be kept
open.Among the ideas was the possibility of holding concerts at the church, which has excellent acoustics. These have been run in the past. The trust will explore the de-
mand for and practicality of alter- native uses and help with the management of the building. Aspokesman said: “Thankswere
given to those who have helped with the church for many years and continue to help with its day-to- day running, but further help is needed, and while many offers were received at the meeting, more volunteers are being sought from the wider community.” It is hoped the new charitable
trust will be established in the com- ingweeks. Anyone with ideas for further
uses for the church, who is inter- ested in staging an event, or keen to help with running the building should call Samantha Osborne 01622 631747 or send an email to
samanthaosborne100@hotmail.co.uk.
Maidstone East November 2014
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