Category Archives: All Posts

Wokingham Families: The Purseys, Brants, Rances and Alexanders

Wokingham Families and the Great War. Recalling the 1914-18 war often involves descriptions of military strategy and the bewildering numbers who were killed or maimed on both sides.  What is often lacking in the tomes of history is the impact … Continue reading

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Cecil Culver. Introduction by Jim Bell

Today we start a magnificent series of recollections by Cecil Culver, one of the great cornerstones of the Wokingham community. Sadly, Cecil died in 2009 aged 99, but we are fortunate in being able to receive  his memories of Wokingham … Continue reading

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Cecil Culver’s Wokingham. One: The early years

Jim Bell continues with the magnificent series of recollections by Cecil Culver, one of the great cornerstones of Wokingham’s 20th century community. Cecil died in 2009 aged 99, but we are fortunate in being able to receive his memories of … Continue reading

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Cecil Culver’s Wokingham. Two: On the move

Down to Business: Reeves Removals. Jim Bell continues with the magnificent series of recollections by Cecil Culver, one of the great cornerstones of Wokingham’s 20th century community. Cecil died in 2009 aged 99, but we are fortunate in being able to … Continue reading

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Cecil Culver’s Wokingham. Three: Fun, Friendship, Fraternity.

Jim Bell’s final instalment of the life of Cecil Culver tells us about how the Wokingham community organised its leisure and the important friendships which arose. The Cheerio Concert Party Despite onerous responsibilities at work Cecil found time to pursue various pastimes, one … Continue reading

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Remembrance Day – The Incredible Story

Written by Mike Churcher As we stand for the first of the two minute’s silence at 11 am, we try to contemplate those who fought and fell during all wars in all circumstances. The second minute is spent thinking about … Continue reading

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What was in the Wokingham news during the Great War ?

These articles are all taken from one of the area’s principal newspapers, “The Reading Mercury (also including Oxford Gazette, Newbury Herald and Berks. County paper)”   Each week the towns and villages surrounding Reading had sections in this paper devoted to … Continue reading

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Chemical warfare starts October 1914.

Chemical warfare enters in October 1914. Sneezing powder. The Germans used 3,000 shells containing the Niespulver, mixed with shrapnel and sent over to the British and Indian troops at Neuve Chapelle. Although not highly effective (the British were not even … Continue reading

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Winnie the Pooh and The Great War

Written by Mike. I’m not sure why we did it, but in 2003 my wife and I drove across Canada with our four year old son. It was a strange journey which included a 1000 miles of prairie land, bears racing … Continue reading

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Bearwood Roll of Honour, St Catherine’s Church.

Every now again we come across seemingly small pieces of information, which suddenly provides insights into the changing attitude to the war. At first it was about glory, fighting for one’s country, beating the Bosch and still be back in … Continue reading

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