Where is this memorial originally from?

[johnmiles]

Hi Annie

No - I do not know the family - my interest is in the Royal Berkshire Regiment and memorials in Berkshire

John

[liverpool annie]

So have you seen this memorial before then ? .... back in the days when it was shiny ? 

Annie 

[johnmiles]

Annie

No - But I have all but one of the men in my database of Men from Berkshire and there is a detailed biography of  Knowles in the Berkshire Chronicle of 11th Jan 1918 page 2

John

[millymcb]

I am pretty sure the memorial came from Trinity Congrgational Church in Reading.

Watford Vernon Knowles of Kendricks View, Reading was a member of this church and the congregation merged with Park United Reform Church on Wokingham Road in Reading in the 1980s

John

That's very interesting as one of the boys' fathers was Reverend Thomas Steer - a congregational minister.   I have had a bit of an internet search to see if I can find out which church he was at but not come up with anything yet - so if anyone could link him to this church that would be really helpful.

His address was Shinfield Roadm Reading. I wonder how far that is fromthe church on Wokingham Road?

Milly

 

[johnmiles]

Hi Milly

Trinity was at the corner of Queens Road and Sidmouth St - I guess about a mile from the start of Shinfield Road.

regards

John

[liverpool annie]

This is the Reading Town Forum .... wonder if a posting on there would also bring results ?? they're talking about the church John mentioned !!

http://www.reading-forum.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2623

Annie 

[millymcb]

Hi Milly

Trinity was at the corner of Queens Road and Sidmouth St - I guess about a mile from the start of Shinfield Road.

regards

John

That's Northwest of University area right in the middle of the area where the various soldiers lived (the ones we have addresses for) so again an interesting clue.  Northwest of University area

Milly

[Thudnut]

What a fantastic result - I knew my Rootschat chums would come up trumps!

I am more than happy that the memorial came from the Trinity United Reform Church.  Not only did this information come from johnmiles, but it was also suggested by Liz Tait of the Reading Remembrance Trust.  Brigdeen Fox of the Thames Valley Western Front Association has also been a great help.

I will send an email to the minister of Park United Reform Church to see if he would be wiling to re-home the memorial.

Here's a link to the church: http://www.parkurc.org.uk/

I'll keep you all updated.

Thank you all for your help.
Thudders

[liverpool annie]

Did you hear anything yet Thudders ?

Impatient Annie