Making amends on memorial

The names of four Farndon men killed in one of the world wars are to be added to a commemorative plaque in the memorial hall.

Mr George Harper (74) of Holmefield, Farndon, found names were missing while carrying out research for two books of remembrance.

The plaque in the hall names the men who died in either the first or second world wars.

A marble tablet in St Peter’s Church, Farndon, names those killed in the first world war and also lists all the men who served in either world war but did not necessarily die.

Mr Harper found that three names were on one plaque and not the other, and two were missing from both.

Now, Farndon Parish Council has agreed to an addition to the memorial hall plaque, adding four of the names. The addition will be made in oak by a joiner from Farndon, Mr Geoff Liley.

The local county councillor, Mrs Sue Saddington, will pay the £167 cost from her electoral division allowance.

There are no plans to update the plaque in the church.

Mr Harper, a retired history teacher and member of Farndon history group, said: “When the memorial hall plaque is complete, I will have a feeling of completion, a sense of accomplishment.”

His research started in 2000 when Southwell Diocese sought volunteers to research the war memorial in St Peter’s Church.

Private Edward Godson served in the first world war and was not on either plaque.

He was possibly missed because he was not originally from Farndon, but married a lady from the village, Florence Cree.

Private Godson was head gardener to Colonel Darwin at Elston Hall before joining the South Staffordshire Regiment.

Private Henry Christopher Bush lived with his parents in Farndon and signed up for the Army in July 1915, in the Royal Fusiliers. He is not on either plaque, although he was brought up in Farndon.

Private Bush was the uncle of Mrs Mary Francis (72) of Wyke Lane, Farndon.

Her husband, Mr George Francis, has researched Private Bush and the family for 43 years.

Private Bush was buried in Nord, France, after being shot and dying in hospital aged 21.

Mr Francis (71) said: “I have always wanted to get these people recognised on the same memorial. It is awful that they are not recognised.”

Two men killed in the second war were also missed off the memorial hall plaque.

Flying Officer Richard Morris, who was killed in a blackout in Oxford, is buried in Farndon.

He attended Newark’s Thomas Magnus Grammar School and was an RAF flying instructor.

Lance Bombardier Thomas Sumpster is also missing from the hall plaque after serving with the Royal Artillery.

He grew up in Farndon and attended the village school.

Private Alfred Leader also died in the first world war serving with the Sherwood Foresters.

His name appears in the hall but not in the church. This is thought to be because Private Leader was originally a farm labourer from Cambridgeshire before moving to Farndon.