In January 2018 the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Edward Barber Leeder, who died in a submarine accident whilst serving on the submarine K-4 on the 31st January 1918, off the Isle of May, in what was to become known as the Battle of the Isle of May, a naval exercise that resulted in five collisions between eight vessels, and the loss of 104 lives.
Edward Barber Leeder
Edward Barber Leeder
Memorial, St Margaret Pattens, Eastcheap
Edward Barber Leeder is also commemorated on the memorial in St Margaret Pattens, Eastcheap, London, erected by the widow of the captain of the K-4 submarine, and dedicated “To the Proud and Undying Remembrance of my Husband Commdr David De Beauvoir Stocks, R.N. D.S.O. Legion of Honour, who was drowned January 31st 1918, serving his King & Country, and in Memory of all those who died with him.”
From the 23rd March 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Thomas Walter Doughty who was killed in action whilst serving with the Royal Irish Rifles during the First Battles of the Somme on the 24th March 1918. Thomas was 26 years old.
Thomas Walter Doughty
Thomas Walter Doughty
International Red Cross index card – Thomas Walter Doughty
It is very poignant to realise that Thomas’s parents, not knowing that he had been killed, had been trying to locate him via the International Red Cross (August to November of 1918). In November 1919, Thomas’s body was exhumed from where he had fallen and re-interred at Bouchoir New British Cemetery.
We have been very fortunate to be able to contact relatives of Thomas, who have kindly allowed us to display a photograph of his Next of Kin Memorial Plaque.
Next of Kin Memorial Plaque – Thomas Walter Doughty
From the 17th May 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Arthur Robert Buck who was killed in action whilst serving with the Bedfordshire regiment during the Somme conflict on the 25th May 1918. Arthur was 41 years old. The 1911 census (Wood Norton) lists his occupation as ‘gardener’.
Arthur Robert Buck
Arthur Robert Buck
Arthur Robert Buck
From the 27th May 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to complement the Arty, Crafty, Planty Day being held in the Village Hall on the 28th May. There were displays showing how the village had changed – Wood Norton Through 175 Years, and the plans, funding and support for the refurbishment of the Church and the installation of new facilities – Renewal in the Community.
Renewal in the Community
Wood Norton through 175 years
From the 10th August 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Stanley Sadler. Stanley was serving with the Royal Navy, and was killed when the ship that he was serving with, HMS Scott, was torpedoed off the Dutch coast. He was 21 years old.
Stanley Sadler
Stanley Sadler
We have discovered that Stanley was married, and we have been fortunate to be in contact with his relatives, who have kindly allowed us to display a photograph of Stanley and his wife, Agnes.
Stanley and Agnes. Stanley’s hat band bears the name HMS Scott
From the end of August 2018, the church hosted and exhibition entitled The King James Bible and the English Language. It explores the creation and enduring legacy of this English translation of the Bible.
The King James Bible and the English Language
The King James Bible and the English Language
The King James Bible and the English Language
From the 13th September 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of George Thomas Dawson. George was serving with the 14th Battalion, The Queen’s, Royal West Surrey, when he died of illness (probably malaria) in Salonikia, on the 19th September 1918. He was 40 years old. He is buried on the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria.
George Thomas Dawson
George Thomas Dawson
George Thomas Dawson – Mikra British Cemetery
From Saturday 15th December 2018, the church hosted an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Charles Dew. Charles was conscripted on his 18th birthday, and served with a variety of regiments including the Royal Fusiliers, the regiment with which he was serving when he suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm. His injury resulted in him being discharged from the army in October 1918; two months later the died of influenza and pneumonia, on the 21st December 1918, aged 19. He was buried in Wood Norton churchyard on the 24th December 1918.
Charles Dew
