Crowthorne families were generous in their support of the war.
April 19th 1918.
The War Savings now exceed 450 Certificates.
Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/2, p. 21)
Crowthorne families were generous in their support of the war.
April 19th 1918.
The War Savings now exceed 450 Certificates.
Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/2, p. 21)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 19 April, 2018
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Food shortages were encouraging people to take up growing heir own fruit and veg.
Food Production.
The Committee of the Crowthorne, S. Sebastian, Finchampstead and Sandhurst Horticultural Society has decided to hold a Fruit and Vegetable Show during the month of October, the idea being to encourage the cultivation of food to the greatest extent possible. For this same purpose the Wokingham Horticultural Society has just been formed and proposes to hold a Show on Sept. 25th.
In this connection the ‘Wolf Cubs’ are trying to ‘do their bit’ on a piece of ground kindly lent to them.
Will anyone send them along a few seeds, but more especially seed potatoes.
Wokingham St Sebastian parish magazine, March 1918 (D/P154C/28A/1)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 9 March, 2018
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Wokingham churchgoers were asked to support work with soldiers at the Front.
Church Army Tent.
It is proposed to raise sufficient money in Wokingham to provide a Church Army Tent for our Soldiers at the Front. It will be called ‘The Wokingham Tent,’ and will serve the same purpose as a Hut. The cost will be £300, of which £250 has already been given. I feel sure that many in this parish will wish to do their part, possibly we might manage the remaining £50 required. Will you help? Donations may be sent to the Vicar or to Mrs. Ker, Thornbury, Crowthorne.
Wokingham St Sebastian parish magazine, February 1918 (D/P154C/28A/1)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 18 February, 2018
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Dr John Baker, Superintendent of Broadmoor Hospital, which doubled as Crowthorne War Hospital for mentally ill PoWs, wanted to make sure that men leaving his care were warmly dressed for their winter journey home. Following this letter, they were issued with coats, underwear, braces and neck comforters.
Crowthorne War Hospital
Berks
5th November 1917
From Officer i/c Crowthorne War Hospital
To DDMS Aldershot
Seven insane German Prisoners of War have been recommended for repatriation. I understand that they will be removed shortly. The clothing in which some of these Prisoners arrived at the Hospital was in some cases either bad or defective. I shall be glad to be favoured with any instructions that may exist with regard to the clothing of Prisoners on repatriation or some guidance in the matter especially as to whether deficiencies may be made good from Hospital stock or otherwise.
[File copy not signed]
Letter from Dr Baker, Broadmoor correspondence file (D/H14/A6/2/51)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 5 November, 2017
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More families fled London, while local children collected chestnuts for munitions.
Crowthorne
October 26th 1917
There has been a rather large influx of “raid” children from East London.
Yattendon
Octr 26th
Half holiday given this afternoon for chestnut picking.
Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/2); Yattendon CE School log book (SCH37/8/2)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 26 October, 2017
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The drive to encourage People to invest their savings in government loans was successful in Crowthorne.
October 11th 1917
The total number of War Savings Certificates sold is now in excess of 150.
Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/2, p. 16)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 11 October, 2017
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Two war heroes visited their old primary school when home on leave.
September 21st 1917.
Visited by two old boys who have received the military medal, Sergeant J. Ferguson and Lance Corporal F. Brooks.
Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/3, p. 15)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 21 September, 2017
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Berkshire schools were affected by the war in varying ways.
Abingdon Girls’ CE School
1917, 23rd-27th July
As last year the County Council gave War Time Certificates instead of Prizes.
During the year the girls have sent:
1. To the Jack Cornwall Fund for Memorial Ward – 13/
2. Xmas puddings for soldiers at the Front – one guinea
3. To the RSPCA Fund for sick and wounded army horses – 12/
4. The Overseas Fund on Empire Day – 7/
Broadmoor School
27th July 1917
Miss Haines was allowed to leave school at 2 o’clock on Monday to see a friend from the trenches.
Charlton Infant School
27th July 1917
The usual school treat is not taking place this year, in accordance with the wishes of the Food Controller.
Abingdon Girls’ CE School log book (C/EL 2/2); Crowthorne: Broadmoor School log book (C/EL100); Charlton Infant School log book (C/EL12)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 27 July, 2017
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/donations-for-wounded-army-horses/
Broadmoor, acting as a war hospital for metally ill PoWs, received the following warning. Was this ridiculous hysteria, or was there a genuine threat?
War Office
London SW1
20th June 1917
Sir,
I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that information has been received from General Headquarters, British Armies in France, that the Germans may try to send poison to German Prisoners of war in order that the latter may contaminate water supplies etc.
I am to request that, in the event of any suspicious enclosures being found in parcels of Prisoners of War, the Commandant of the Prisoners of War Camp shall pass them to the Medical Officer for examination and analysis.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
B B Cubitt
[to]
General Officers
Commanding-in-Chief at Home.
Copies to Commandants, Prisoners of War Camp.
Commandant, Crowthorne War Hospital, Wellington College.
Broadmoor correspondence file (D/H14/A6/2/51)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 20 June, 2017
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A Crowthorne teacher took time off to see a (boy?)friend home on leave.
20th April 1917
School reopened on Tuesday. Miss Haines was this day being granted leave of absence to see a friend from the front.
Crowthorne: Broadmoor School log book (C/EL100, p. 169)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 20 April, 2017
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Cookham children were giving eggs, while those in Crowthorne were asked to join a war savings scheme.
Cookham Alwyn Road School
March 2nd 1917
The school children have this week contributed to the “Soldiers’ Egg Fund”.
Crowthorne C.E. School
March 2nd 1917
An attempt is being made to form a War Savings Certificate association.
Cookham Alwyn Road School log book (88/SCH/18/1, p. 291); Crowthorne C.E. School log book (D/P102B/28/3, p. 9)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 2 March, 2017
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Dr Baker, Medical Superintendent at Broadmoor, now also operating as the Crowthorne War Hospital for mentally ill German PoWs, wrote to Lieutenant Colonel Whitestone to report on the overcrowding he was experiencing:
Crowthorne War Hospital
Berks
15th Janry 1917
Sir,
… I have now to report that there are 26 patients in the Hospital. In addition I have accepted another from Jersey. The ward will be inconveniently crowded and in the interests both of discipline and treatment I would strongly recommend the opening of the second ward. I trust that this recommendation will meet with approval and that sanction will be obtained for the provision of extra Orderlies.
Owing to the conditions above described I have today felt compelled to decline for the present another insane prisoner of War from Jersey.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant
[File copy not signed]
Dr Baker also received a letter relating to parcels sent to the prisoners which had gone astray somewhere:
Prisoners of War Relief Agency
20, Queen’s Gate Terrace
London, SW
January 15th, 1917
[to] The Commanding Officer
Crowthorne War Hospital
Berks
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much indeed for your kind letter of the 14th inst. in the meantime P/W Bergmann had also informed me of the safe arrival of parcel No. 6724, and I trust that the missing 10 parcels from the German Red Cross have also reached you by now.
I shall be only too pleased to support any request you sanction and help wherever help is required.
With renewed thanks for your kind assistance.
K E Markel
Broadmoor correspondence file (D/H14/A6/2/51)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 15 January, 2017
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Berkshire County Council and its committees dealt with several war related matters. One was the registration of the multitude of independent war charities which had sprung up.
Report of School Management Sub-committee, 14 October 1916
HEAD TEACHERS AND MILITARY SERVICE
The following Head Teachers have rejoined the Army since the last meeting: Mr Mills (Childrey), Mr Hunt (Cold Ash), Mr Bird (Priestwood), Mr Andrews (Mortimer St Mary’s) and Mr Verrall (Brimpton). Their places have been filled temporarily by the appointment of the Certificated Assistant (Woman) of their respective schools, or by the transfer of a teacher from another school.
Report of Smallholdings and Allotments Committee, 14 October 1916
COTTAGES AND LAND FOR BLINDED SOLDIERS, &C, FOR POULTRY FARMING
Enquiries were made on behalf of the Blinded Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Hostel, St Dunstan’s, as to whether any assistance could be given in finding locations near Reading for Blinded Soldiers who have been taught chicken rearing. They require a cottage and about an acre of ground at a rent not exceeding £30 per annum.
The agents in the Reading district were asked if they had any suitable properties available, but from the replies received it appeared that no suitable places were available for renting, and only three or four were put forward for sale.
It was stated by St Dunstan’s that at present only leasing could be considered.
Report of the War Charities Committee, 14 October 1916
The following applications for registration under the War Charities Act, 1916, have not been approved, and the Clerk instructed to issue certificates and to notify the Charity Commissioners: (more…)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 14 October, 2016
https://berkshirevoiceswwi.wordpress.com/2016/10/14/blinded-soldiers-turn-to-chicken-rearing/
A young man who had gone from teaching to the Front returned to visit his former pupils.
29th September 1916
Mr Gibbons, formerly student teacher, visited school today, being home on leave after receiving wounds at the Front.
Crowthorne: Broadmoor School log book (C/EL100, p. 166)
Posted by berkshirerecordoffice on 29 September, 2016
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