War Memorial

The war memorial at Old Sodbury is in the form of a lychgate at the entrance to the churchyard.   It was erected in 1920 to commemorate 16 men who lost their lives in the First World War. The names are inscribed on the roof beams over the gate. After the Second World War it was amended to include the six who were killed during World War Two.

The names of the fallen are;
1914 – 1918

  • ALBERT BENNETT
  • WILLIAM COLE
  • PERCY DASH
  • HERBERT DERRICK
  • ROLAND EDMONDS
  • HUGH GROSVENER
  • CECIL HOOD
  • HENRY MATHEWS
  • FRED PORTER
  • WILFRED PORTER
  • JOSEPH SLADE
  • HARRY WALKER
  • RICHARD WELLESLEY
  • ERNEST WIGMORE
  • PHILLIP WOLLEN
  • WILLOUGHBY WRIGLEY

1939 – 1945

  • MICHAEL HILLS
  • SIDNEY HINDER
  • WILLIAM HORNE
  • EDWARD HUNT
  • HAROLD STUMP
inside lychgate

The lychgate opens up to provide the pathway to the main entrance to the church and the graveyard that surrounds it. The graveyard itself contains many old gravestones each with its own history and a story to tell. Among those buried here are David Hartley who as a British MP was engaged in securing US Independence back in 1780. There is a plaque inside the church that celebrates his life.

Can you help us?  The lychgate is currently in need of repair and is listed as a historic monument. For this reason an appeal is being launched to secure funds for its repair. To make a donation to this very worthwhile project please click in the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/davidhartley

Thanks to a digital project which is helping to bring history to life, anyone with a smartphone or tablet can tap into the history of local people from Old Sodbury who lost their lives during the First World War.  Using modern technology, people will be able to access a Quick Response (QR) code and or war memorial web page link which has been installed near the memorial. When scanned, the QR code provides a link to a wealth of information and personal stories about people named on the memorial who were killed in battle.

The project has been coordinated by South Gloucestershire Council as part of the Heritage Lottery funded South Gloucestershire First World War project to engage local people with the First World War centenary and includes working with schools and community groups.

For further information visit  http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/war-memorials

 

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