Description
Wimbledon War Memorial
Wimbledon War Memorial:Designed by the eminent architect, Sir Thomas Jackson, a resident of Eagle House, Wimbledon, the War Memorial was unveiled on November 1st 1921 by the local M.P. Sir Joseph Hood. The sheer volume of local war casualties prevented their names from being shown on the memorial, however, many servicemen are commemorated on metal plaques inside the Warrior Chapel at Wimbledon Parish Church (also designed by Jackson).Wimbledon Army Camp:From 1916 the northern section of Wimbledon Common was used as a military training base. In addition to accommodation huts and a packing shed for equipment, the camp offered varied terrain for training, including practice trenches and a bayoneting ground.It was important to maintain troop morale, especially for recruits separated from friends and family. Three large huts were therefore established by the YMCA and the Church Army. These provided comforts from hot food and a writing room, to snooker, card games, a gramophone, sing-alongs, talks and the services of a photographer for keepsake pictures. After the war, it was used as a dispersal camp, and housed soldiers whilst the London Barracks was being repaired. It was only cleared completely in 1923.King's College School:This historic private school transferred to Wimbledon from The Strand in 1897. It educated the sons of the gentry and wealthy businessmen for careers in politics, diplomacy, the clergy and the military. The school had its own cadet force and was a natural training ground for recruits to the officer corps. During the First World War several hundred Old Boys volunteered for the forces, serving in many different units, from the East Surrey Regiment and the Honourable Artillery Company, to the Royal Flying Corps and assorted colonial units. Amongst the school’s lengthy Roll of Honour was George Edward Cates V C.The Keir:During the war years, this was home to former Civil Servant and journalist Richardson Evans. Founder and treasurer of the John Evelyn Society (now the Wimbledon Society) Evans was an influential figure. Between 1914 and 1918 he contributed greatly to the war effort, from recruiting initiatives and fundraising, to support for Belgian refugees and the Wimbledon War Record Committee. The latter was dedicated to commemorating local war dead and recording details of how Wimbledon and Merton served King and Country.Belmont, Parkside:In 1914, this property was the home of the Duchess of Vendome, sister of the King of the Belgians. President of the Belgian Relief Fund, she was a driving force behind the campaign to provide financial help, accommodation and support for Belgian war refugees seeking sanctuary in the Wimbledon area.
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