“Hear our Story”

Tuesday 7th November 2023 

7:30pm (doors open 7:00 pm)

Chinnor Community Pavilion, Station Rd, Chinnor OX39 4PU

We are fast approaching November 11th, the time of year when we remember those who fell in the many conflicts involving our nation. We specifically wish to remember the two young men who were born in the cottages that once stood in Donkey Lane Community Orchard, Alfred and Aubrey Howlett and the landowner’s son Frank Eggleton. They, and many others, left to fight in WW1 for their country but never returned. 

If you missed last year’s presentation, this is your chance to come along and hear about their experiences. The talk will be well supported by maps, photos and illustrations including some new material. Some of the background information you may find surprising! 

Delving deep into war diaries and other War Office records, hear the poignant stories of the sons of two families; the Howletts, Alfred and Aubrey who lived in one of the Orchard cottages and Frank Eggleton, the son of the owner of the land where the cottages stood.

Discover some of the key battles and lives of the soldiers who, along with many other young men, left their village to serve their Country in the Great War and did not return.

Are you baffled by the language used in descriptions of the war or maybe thought ‘how did they do that’? 

We will try to answer a few of these things. For example; how did they transport 700 horses to Alexandria in 1914.

Admission £5 by ticket (cash only please) available from Chinnor Parish Office or by emailing greeningchinnor@gmail.com or call on 07973 788339. 

"Come and Hear My Story!

Presentation and talk on the impact of WW1 on the families at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

8th November 2022. 7:30 pm at Chinnor Community Pavilion
Tickets £5 to cover costs.

Anyone who has attended the Chinnor Remembrance Day ceremony will be familiar with the Roll of Honour.

As part of the continuing social history research of Donkey Lane Community Orchard, we have tracked down the poignant stories of the sons of two families; the Howletts, Alfred and Aubrey who lived in one of the Orchard cottages and Frank Eggleton, the son of the owner of the land where the cottages stood, who, along with many other young men, left their village to serve their Country in the Great War and did not return.

On Tuesday 8th November, we would like to share these stories with you. Delving deep into war diaries and other War Office records we have discovered some of the key battles and lives of the soldiers on the Front.

Perhaps like us you are baffled by some of the language used in the descriptions of the war or maybe thought ‘how did they do that?’ We will try to answer a few of these things. For example; how did they transport 700 horses to Alexandria in 1914?

Ticket are £5 per person to cover costs, available at the Parish Office or by calling 07973 788339 or 07764 452777. Cash only please. Alternatively you can book tickets at Eventbrite. Please note booking fee applies.

Donkey Lane Community Orchard - The effect of WW1 on the families born in the Orchard Part 2 The Sad Part!

Anyone reading this will know that this is not a story with a happy ending. The three young men in question are featured on the Chinnor War Memorial and were all closely connected with what is now, The Donkey Lane Community Orchard.

 

Major Frank Eggleton, Royal Field Artillery

His battery took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres better known as Passchendaele. The Battle lasted from July 1917 until November, but the main offensive began on the 12th October to gain the high ground. The weather was very wet indeed and the whole offensive movements were impeded by deep mud, allied troops were mown down by German machine guns because they were unable to advance. This battle was described as a wasteful disaster.

During this time Frank had gone forward to the guns to attend to an officer who had been wounded. On the way back, he stepped aside to let the stretcher pass him and while he was waiting, he was hit by a large piece of exploding shell in his back which entered his spine. A fellow officer with him reported that “he immediately became unconscious and died a few minutes later”. He died on 21st of October 1917 aged just 31. It was reported in the John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe obituary that a 2nd Lieutenant in his battalion wrote that he was ‘so loved and respected by all’. He was buried in Canada Farm Cemetery.

Frank is remembered on the High Wycombe Hospital memorial as well as on the Chinnor Memorial. He was reported to be very popular for his kind acts. He had requested that better socks for his men should be found and contacted friends in High Wycombe by letter to arrange for them to be knitted and sent out to the battlefield. We have not yet discovered whether the socks actually arrived there to be used. Read more... 

The Effect of WW1 on the families who lived at the orchard

Anyone who has attended the Chinnor Remembrance Day ceremony will be familiar with the Roll of Honour. The horrific thought of the repeated surnames that are called is disturbing, as is the massive loss of young men especially those from the same family. If like me you can almost recite the WW1 Roll of Honour, you will be aware that there were 4 young men from the Marriott family, 4 from the Witney family but the ones that stood out from the Orchard Cottages Census were 2 of the 4 young men called Howlett, Alfred and Aubrey. In addition, Frank Eggleton, the son of the owner of the land on which the cottages stood. 

The effect of the first world war was felt strongly amongst those who had lived in the immediate area. The Howlett family, Alfred and Mary, lost both of their sons, Alfred and Aubrey. In addition, Frank, the younger son of Henry and Annie Eggleton the landowners at Hill Farm also died. 3 young men from this very small area of Chinnor.

We will begin with Frank Eggleton as he is the eldest of the three and the first one to volunteer. At the time of the 1911 census the orchard land was part of Hill Farm which at that time was owned by Henry Eggleton and his wife Annie (nee Keene) and their two sons William and Frank. William, the elder son was involved in the family business of farming, but the younger son Frank was described as a Mercantile Clerk for Wheeler’s Brewery in High Wycombe. 

Frank was born 5th January 1886 and at 28 years old in 1914 was already quite mature with an already established a career in the brewing trade. He gained further qualifications from evening classes at The John Hampden Grammar School achieving the membership of ‘The Chartered Institute of Secretaries’ and became Company Secretary for Wheelers Brewery in High Wycombe in 1914. The company reported after his death that he had the potential for a very successful career in the company. They had lost quite a few of their key employees as a result of the war.  Read more ...