On Remembrance Sunday 2014, 100 years after the outbreak of WW1, Christ Church took some time to remember those from the churches which later came together to make up Christ Church, who served in World War I and World War II. During our service, members of the congregation read out the names of those who lost their lives in the First World War, and lit a candle for each of the fallen.
We also remembered those who had survived the war, who came home with horrific memories and, in many cases, life-changing injuries. Those from Harefield Methodist, Lawn Road Methodist and Old Meeting Congregational Churches who lost their lives during the Second World War were also remembered. Their names were displayed on a screen during the service.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
(Laurence Binyon, For The Fallen)
Jean George had researched fifty men who died in the First World War from the transcriptions which Ken and Pam Pearce made from the original memorials. Her aim was to provide information as to the families, the residences and theirs and their families’ occupations around the time of the War. This information was made available in a booklet and can be downloaded here.
During the service Ken Pearce spoke about three of those men who died in the First World War – Reginald Collier, Herbert Williams and Walter Wilson – giving more details about their lives, their families and their service during the war in which they lost their lives.