Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers)....

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Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter 110: Autumn 2018 £3.50 to non-members www.taplowsociety.org.uk

Transcript of Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers)....

Page 1: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Hitcham and TaplowSociety

Newsletter 110: Autumn 2018£3.50 to non­members

www.taplowsociety.org.uk

Page 2: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of theeleventh month – 11am on 11th November 2018 – itwill be exactly 100 years since the Armistice endedthe Great War in which 52 men of Hitcham andTaplow lost their lives. Two of them – Richard andCharles Harris, sons of Ada and blacksmith Richard– were born in my house, then The Forge in ChurchRoad, Taplow. This Newsletter is proud to mark theCentenary by telling their tales and those of theirfallen comrades (Pages 4, 5 & 6) and, courtesy ofcorrespondents in California and Scotland, bysharing the poignant story of one of the nurses whoserved at Cliveden's HRH Duchess of ConnaughtCanadian Red Cross Hospital (Pages 7, 8 & 9).

This focus on our heritage is one of theSociety's three strands. Our original and primaryaim is to do our best to beneficially influencepotential changes. It is a pleasure when dreamscome true (Page 11). While many of the current

local 'hot topics' have cooled a little (Pages 10, 11& 12), they remain in focus as we continue torecruit new members and are pleased to welcometo our Committee Jonathan Specktor of EllingtonRoad. Sincere and grateful thanks to two whohave stepped down: Miv Wayland­Smith has overnine years made many valuable contributionsranging from perceptive to practical, notably as amainstay of the Village Green Party, and BernardTrevallion is relinquishing his Vice­Presidency of13 years to take Mary and Anna to a new homenear Dorchester.

Thirdly, we reflect and celebrate our communityspirit. Taplow Court has been busy (Page 13). Aseries of events, admirable efforts and youramazing generosity raised funds for all sorts of'good causes' (Pages 3, 14 & 15). And royalty­to­bemade a fleeting appearance to sow a seed that willbloom after our AGM (Page 16).

Editorial

Hitcham and Taplow Society

Formed in 1959 to protect Hitcham, Taplow and the surrounding countryside from being spoilt by baddevelopment and neglect.

President: Eva LipmanVice President: Fred RussellChairman: VacantTreasurer: Robert HanburySecretary: Roger WorthingtonCommittee: Andrew Findlay, Charlie Greeves, Robert Harrap, Alastair Hill,

Rupert Sellers, Nigel Smales, Jonathan Specktor, Louise SymonsNewsletter Editor (and photos and maps unless noted): Nigel SmalesNewsletter Production: Andrew Findlay

Contact Address: HTS, Littlemere, River Road, Taplow, SL6 [email protected] 556309

Cover picture: St Nicolas’ War Memorial (Nigel Smales)Poppies (Rod Morrod, Maidenhead Camera Club)

Annual General Meeting (AGM), Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC), HRH Duchess of Connaught Canadian

Red Cross Hospital (CRCH), Member of Parliament (MP), Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM),

South Bucks District Council (SBDC), Taplow Cricket Club (TCC), Taplow & Hitcham Recreation Grounds

Association (THRGA), Taplow Parish Council (TPC), Thames Valley Police (TVP) and Village Green Party (VGP).

Acronyms

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Remembrance began in Cape Town, South Africa,in April 1918 when the Mayor, Sir Harry Hands,led a two­minute silence to honour loss of life inconflict. On the first anniversary of the Armistice,King George V at Buckingham Palace and all ofLondon stood silent for two minutes. TheManchester Guardian reported: "It was a silencethat was almost a pain. And the spirit of memorybrooded all over it". Remembrance has for ahundred years been within the soul of our nation. Itdefines us that, right across the country, people ofall ages stand silently in significant numbers everyRemembrance Sunday not to celebrate victory butsolemnly to pay their respects to all who have giventheir lives in conflict and to those who have served.

Locally, we have two Great War Memorialscommemorating 46 men – 28 of Taplow and 18 ofHitcham – but each has three omissions, so the truecost was 52 lives, almost one fifth of all adult malesin our two parishes in 1914. The youngest who diedwas 17, the oldest 53. Fourteen were officers. Seven

served in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, seven inGuards regiments, six in the Oxfordshire &Buckinghamshire Light infantry, five in the RoyalNavy and three in the Royal Air Force. Three fromelsewhere were buried in St Nicolas' Churchyardafter passing away at the CRCH before Clivedenhad its own cemetery.

The War Memorial at St Nicolas' Church wasfirst the focus of Remembrance on 11th November1923. It was funded by public subscription.Everyone from wealthy landowners including theAstors, Grenfells and Whitlaws to paupers andwidows on frugal pensions contributed as much asthey could afford. Now, our community has tworeasons to be proud. Not only is the Church packedevery Remembrance Sunday (and Chris Newtonand friends do a fantastic job leading Guides,Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Beavers and Rainbows onparade) but we have also raised £3,362 to refurbishthe Memorial, whichwas the worse for thewear and tear of 95years. In response toTPC's initiative ofallocating £2,000 fromits Legacy Fund,Nigel Smales led aSociety appeal for thebalance with a mostgenerous donation,one of 26 totalling £1,922. Grateful thanks are alsodue to Jeannie Beaves, Jessie Cooper, Gill Dean &Stephen Biddlecombe, Caroline Gillies, RobertHanbury, Bridget Henderson, Brenda Kennedy,Duncan Leftley, Eva Lipman, David Long, MaryMeikle & Roy Jackman, Sheila Peroni, Chris & StevePhillips, Alex Shephard, Margaret & John Sizer,Louise Symons, Suzanne Thornley, Crispin Turner,Jacqueline Turner, Bruce Whitelaw, Pauline & RogerWorthington, The Oak & Saw, Taplow UnitedFootball Club, THRGA and The Hitcham & TaplowSociety. Together, they enabled Eva, as ourPresident, to hand a cheque for £1,362 to TPCChairman Jamie Barnard. Our Secretary RogerWorthington and Churchwarden Phil Taylorarranged for stonemason Adrian Powell to restore StNicolas' Memorial and to invest the residual £560 incleaning St Mary's Memorial in time for this year'sRemembrance Parades. Our next challenge will beto consider if and how to better commemorate the21 Taplovians who fell in World War Two.

They Did Not Grow Old

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Our Fallen Fellows

The names engraved on our WarMemorials were once sharpreminders of sons, brothers, uncles,fathers and friends who fell in theGreat War. Everyone couldremember them living in houses nowours and walking, worshipping andchatting in our streets, churches andpubs. Now, they are history. But aslocal symbols of a national suffering,they are Our History. Although wenever knew them, please take a fewmoments to read their 54 stories –one remains a secret – and picturewhere they would have beenremembered most poignantly.

1 – 1st November 1914 – Oliver Reed(28) of Vera, possibly Marsh Lane. BornMaidenhead. House decorator. WifeGertrude. Royal Navy Able Seaman; HMSGood Hope. Killed in action at the Battleof Coronel, off Chile. Hitcham Memorial.

2 – 1st January 1915 – Henry (Harry) CJohnson DSO (37) of Portman Square,Westminster. Wife Phyllis. Brevet­Major; King’s Royal Rifle Corps.Mentioned in Despatches. Prisoner ofWar. Died of wounds in Flanders,Belgium. Taplow Memorial (also StNicolas’ Church stained­glass window)despite no evident local roots. StepfatherMajor­General WHM Lowe took thesurrender of the Easter Rising, Dublin1916. Stepbrother John Loder was a filmactor whose third wife (of five) wasactress Hedy Lamarr.

3 – 30th May 1915 – John Gardiner (30)of 18 Fair View (now Fairview Road),previously 3 Prospect Place, Bath Road.Nurseryman. Wife Annie. Private; RoyalBerkshire Regiment. Died of wounds.Hitcham Memorial (death recorded as1916, regiment as Army Service Corps).

4 – 19th May 1915 – Sheldon AGledstanes (25) of Berry Hill House.Undergraduate son of stockbroker FGGledstanes. Captain; BedfordshireRegiment. Mentioned in Despatches.Wounded at Zwarteleen, Belgium. Died atBailleul, France. Taplow Memorial.

5 – 27th May 1915 – Frederick WhitleyQuirk (29) of Ballaugh, possibly MarshLane. Born Ealing. Royal Navy Surgeon;HMS Princess Irene. Killed in explosionoff Sheerness, Kent. Hitcham Memorial.

6 – 26th May 1915 – Julian HF GrenfellDSO (27) of Taplow Court. Soldier son ofLord Desborough. Brother of Billy (see 8).Captain; 1st (Royal) Dragoons. Served inIndia and South Africa 1910/14. TwiceMentioned in Despatches. War Poet.Wounded at Ypres, Belgium. Died inBoulogne, France. Taplow Memorial.

7 – 6th June 1915 – James Evans (35) ofIpswich. Railway labourer. Son of railwaylabourer Andrew Evans of 21 Fair View(now Fairview Road). Brother of Walter(see 32) and four others who served butsurvived. Wife Annie. Acting Petty Officer;Nelson Battalion (Royal Navy InfantryDivision). Killed in action at the Battle ofKrithia, Gallipoli, Turkey. HitchamMemorial (death recorded as 1917).

8 – 30th July 1915 – Gerald William(Billy) Grenfell (25) of Taplow Court.Oxford undergraduate son of LordDesborough. Brother of Julian (see 6). 2nd

Lieutenant; Rifle Brigade. Killed in actionat Hooge, Belgium. Taplow Memorial.

9 – 31st July 1915 – William CBuchanan (25) of Canada. Born Scotland.One of three brothers who played footballfor Wycombe Wanderers but did notsurvive the War. Sapper; CanadianEngineers. Injuries in transit and intraining led to leg amputation andultimately death at Cliveden CRCH.Buried in St Nicolas’ Churchyard.

10 – 7th August 1915 – Frederick G Slater(32) of Wimbourne, Dorset. Gardener sonof railway platelayer Edward Slater of 4Bath Road Cottages. Possibly cousin of FVSlater (see 24). Lance Corporal; DorsetshireRegiment. Killed in action at the Battle ofChunuk Bair, Gallipoli, Turkey. Omittedfrom Hitcham Memorial.

11 – 30th August 1915 – DennisTheodore­Smith (18) of Boyn Hill,Maidenhead. Son of solicitor ErnestTheodore­Smith of Springfield House,Berry Hill (rented from Selina Whitlaw ofAmerden House). 2nd Lieutenant; RoyalEngineers. Killed in action in Flanders,Belgium. Taplow Memorial.

12 – 27th September 1915 – Alfred CHPortsmouth (17) of The Old Station Inn,Bath Road. Motor mechanic son of Annie(landlady) and Alfred (motor mechanic).Private; Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action atGallipoli, Turkey. Taplow Memorial.

13 – 14th October 1915 – Herbert Wells (22)of Lower Lodge, Hitcham House (formerlyBlythewood). Building labourer son of HenryWells, bricklayer and step­brother to FE Hurn(see 19). Brother of Edward (see 31). Private;Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment.Killed in action at Loos, France. HitchamMemorial (death recorded as 1916).

14 – 19th February 1916 – Alfred GWallis (22) of Henley. Gardener son ofgardener Thomas Wallis of The ThatchedCottage (now East & West Bapsey, BerryHill). Private; Oxfordshire &Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died atYpres, Belgium. Taplow Memorial.

15 – 11th May 1916 – Albert E Pickett(24) of Ontario, Canada. Born Redhill,Surrey. Rubber worker. Private; CanadianInfantry. Died of wounds at ClivedenCRCH. Buried in St Nicolas’ Churchyard.

16 – 3rd June 1916 – Gordon Leyster (30).Auctioneer son of Taplow Grammar Schoolmaster Walter Leyster of The Nest, PikleLane (once Grange Cottage, now Victoria

Julian

Billy

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Cottage, High Street). Wife Bessie,landlady of The Rose & Crown,Chorleywood. Gunner; Royal FieldArtillery. Killed in action in the Somme,France. Taplow Memorial.

17 – 22nd June 1916 – Henry CD Kimber(22) of Hitcham Place, TaplowCommon Road. Oxford undergraduateson of solicitor Sir Henry Kimber.Lieutenant; Royal Field Artillery.Killed in action in Pas­de­Calais,France. Hitcham Memorial.

18 – Charles Penn (26). Recordsconfuse bookstall clerk CharlesWilliam Penn, Rifleman; Queen’sWestminster Rifles (died 1st July1916; Ypres, Belgium) withWilliam Charles Penn, Private;Grenadier Guards (killed in action27th March 1918; Flanders, Belgium).Taplow Memorial, despite noevident local roots except perhapsthe latter being a member of Brigadeof Guards Boat Club.

19 – 1st July 1916 – FrederickEveritt Hurn MM (53) of 1 TriangleCottages (near The Feathers).Nightwatchman at Cliveden wherehis family had worked since before1788. Step­cousin to Herbert &Edward Wells (see 13 & 31). Sergeant;Royal Berkshire Regiment. Served inEgypt 1892/95. Mentioned in Despatches.Killed in action in the Somme, France.Taplow Memorial. Widow Clara’s rent for2 Elm View paid by Waldorf Astor untilher death in 1934.

20 – 15th July 1916 – George Grantham(22) of Taplow Hill Cottages. Gardener sonof George Grantham, gardener to OswaldPearce­Serocold of Taplow Hill (now CedarChase), director of Bank of England, co­owner of brewer Watney Combe Reid. Onceof The Kennels, Common Road (nowCliveden Road). Private; BedfordshireRegiment. Killed in action in the Somme,France. Taplow Memorial.

21 – 31st July 1916 – Richard VC Freeth(19) of River Dale (now Cherry House),River Road. Undergraduate son of insurerCauston Freeth. Lieutenant; Royal BerkshireRegiment. Killed in action in Pas­de­Calais,France. Taplow Memorial.

22 – 14th August 1916 – William HF Filbee(19) of 9 Fair View (now Fairview Road).Cowman son of cowman Algernon Filbee ofElmbank Cottage, Back Lane (now part ofLosuce, Hill Farm Road). Private; RoyalBerkshire Regiment. Killed in action in theSomme, France. Hitcham Memorial.

23 – 2nd September 1916 – Francis HaroldHarrison (30) of Yorkshire. Lieutenant;Yorkshire Regiment (attached to RoyalEngineers Special Brigade). Killed in actionin the Somme, France. Hitcham Memorial(recorded as Harold Francis Harrison)despite no evident local roots.

24 – 5th September 1916 – Francis VSlater (21) of Winton Cottage, possiblyBath Road. Possibly cousin of FG Slater(see 10). Lance Corporal; LondonRegiment. Killed in action in the Somme,France. Omitted from Hitcham Memorial.

25 – 9th September 1916 – John R Webster(35) of The Knowle, Pikle Lane (nowMaryfield, High Street). Born Hill Farm,Hitcham, home of his grandfather Richarduntil 1894 then of his uncle Richard. Solicitorson of farmer and brewer George Websterwho was informed of his son’s death while ata hunt lunch at Rectory Farmhouse, home ofWalter Baldwin. Captain; Royal Fusiliers(London Regiment). Killed in action in theSomme, France. Taplow Memorial.

26 – 30th September 1916 – Edward G Sims(23) of Canada. Born Abingdon. Farmlabourer son of gardener John Sims of TaplowLodge (now Orkney Court, Cliveden Road).Brother of Thomas (see 54 for original home).Lance Corporal; Canadian Infantry (AlbertaRegiment). Died of wounds in the Somme,France. Taplow Memorial.

27 – 27th October 1916 – George T Woods(41) of Southall. Born Uxbridge. Spicelabourer in mustard works. Private; ArmyService Corps. Died of wounds at ClivedenCRCH. Buried in St Nicolas’ Churchyard.

28 – 6th November 1916 – Richard Harris(23) of 10 Fair View (now Fairview Road).Gardener son of blacksmith Richard Harris,grandson of blacksmith (TCC co­founder,1850) David Harris of Taplowhill Cottages(now Cedar Chase). Brother of Charles (see44). Born at The Forge, Church Road (now

The Cottage, Rectory Road). Private;Oxfordshire & BuckinghamshireLight Infantry. Prisoner of War. Diedat Basra, Iraq. Hitcham Memorial.

29 – 18th January 1917 – WilliamGrace (32) of Langley. Son ofgreengrocer David Grace of 4Coldgrove Cottages, Back Lane(now Hill Farm Road). Wife Alice.Private; Oxfordshire &Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.Died of wounds at Rouen, France.Taplow Memorial.

30 – 31st January 1917 – Walter PSillence (37) of Ballarat, Australia.Born Reading, emigrated 1902.Labourer son of coachmanBenjamin Sillence of Farm Cottages,Taplow Lodge (now Orkney Court,Cliveden Road). Private; AustralianInfantry; served as William Nolan.Died of exposure. Omitted fromTaplow Memorial.

31 – 11th March 1917 – Edward Wells (20).Labourer at Cliveden. Brother of Herbert(see 13 for home and family detail). LanceCorporal; Royal Berkshire Regiment. Diedof wounds in Pas­de­Calais, France.Hitcham Memorial.

32 – 17th March 1917 – Walter Evans (31)of 2 Lent Green. Paper sorter at TaplowMill. Son of railway labourer AndrewEvans of 21 Fair View (now FairviewRoad). Brother of James (see 7) and fourothers who served but survived. WifeBertha. Royal Navy Signalman; HMSMignonette. Killed in explosion off Ireland.Hitcham Memorial.

33 – 21th March 1917 – Arthur Hooper (36).Picture framer son of blacksmith WilliamHooper of 3 Sidney Cottages, Station Road(now Rose Cottage, Boundary Road), theirfamily home since before 1871. Private;Hampshire Regiment. Died of wounds atHazebrouck, France. Taplow Memorial.

34 – 2nd June 1917 – George EA LeakeDSO (29) of The Nest, Pikle Lane (nowVictoria Cottage, High Street). BornSussex. Headmaster, Taplow ElementarySchool. Captain; London Regiment,Royal Fusiliers. Originally with Artists’Rifles. Died of wounds at Rouen, France.Taplow Memorial.

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35 – 13th August 1917 – Alec C Hipgrave(25) of West Wycombe. Butcher. Son of flydriver Jesse Hipgrave of Arch Cottages.Apprenticeship with William Rance theYounger at The Hollies, Pikle Lane (nowMulberry House, High Street). Wife Ethel.Private; Army Service Corps. Died atSalonika, Greece. Taplow Memorial.

36 – 28th August 1917 – John Simmonds(21). Gardener son of farm labourer GeorgeSimmonds of Ye Cottyleigh, Pikle Lane(formerly Leigh Cott, now west end of TheOld Cottage, High Street), their family homesince before 1851. Private; Royal BerkshireRegiment. Died at Ypres, Belgium. TaplowMemorial.

37 – 4th October 1917 – Charles B Wray(39) of The Cottage, Nashdom. Son ofengineering machinist William Wray ofBedford. Wife Beatrice. Colour Sergeant;York & Lancaster Regiment. Buried in StMary’s Churchyard under headstoneindicating regiment as Calcutta VolunteerRifles. Hitcham Memorial.

38 – 27th October 1917 – Frederick TJMalyon (19) of 1 Railway Cottages,Approach Road. Railway labourer son ofrailway labourer Frederick Malyon. Private;Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire LightInfantry. Died at Poperinge, Belgium.Taplow Memorial.

39 – 6th November 1917 – Henry Easden(19) of Queen’s Lodge, Dropmore (near TheFeathers). ‘Odd Boy’ son of forester RichardEasden. Able Seaman; Hawke Battalion(Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve). Killed inaction. Omitted from Taplow Memorial.

40 – 6th November 1917 – ThomasWigmore of Bucklebury, Berkshire.Rifleman; Rifle Brigade. Erroneouslyrecorded as C Wigmore of Hitcham NewTown, killed in action at Ypres, Belgium, on10th August 1917. Tom may have beenwounded there and then, but he died(probably in 1917, possibly 1918) at 1Horwood Cottages, Hitcham Road, home ofhis brother Charles Wigmore, bootmaker(grandfather of current HTS member DavidWigmore). Buried in St Mary’s Churchyard.

41 – 8th December 1917 – William RWaugh MM (24) of Cippenham. BornPimlico. Assistant to his father, Clivedenelectrical engineer Thomas Waugh of 3Triangle Cottages (near The Feathers). WifeEdith. Sapper; Royal Engineers. Died inMesopotamia. Buried at Das­es­Salaam,Tanganyika. Taplow Memorial. BrotherWalter (also Royal Engineers) recoveredfrom wounds at Cliveden CRCH.

42 – 18th December 1917 – Guy BSeymour (42) of Kia Ora (now BridgeCottage), Bath Road. Born New Zealand.Cold storage engineer. Son of dentist StanleySeymour of Limerick, Ireland. Wife Mabel;Bourne End. Guardsman; Grenadier Guards.Wounded at Cambrai, France. Died inBirmingham. Taplow Memorial.

43 – 12th March 1918 – Leslie W Wingate(20) of Gilbert Cottage, Lent Rise. BornTaplow; student son of railway signalmanGeorge Wingate. Private; Royal BerkshireRegiment. Died of wounds in the Somme,France. Taplow Memorial.

44 – 17th March 1918 – Charles E Harris(23). Blacksmith brother of Richard (see 28for home and family detail). Private;Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire LightInfantry. Died of wounds in Shropshire.Hitcham Memorial.

45 – 24th March 1918 – Charles SelwynAwdry DSO (41) of Hitchambury, HuntsLane. Partner in newsagent WH Smith. WifeConstance. Major; Royal WiltshireYeomanry. Served in South Africa1899/1902. Mentioned in Despatches. Killedin action in the Somme, France. HitchamMemorial (and at Lord’s Cricket Ground).

46 – June 1918 – Herbert Aldridge (39)of Meadowcroft, possibly Nearways (nowEastfield Road). Commercial traveller forbrewer Truman Hanbury & Buxton(Lionel Hanbury, great­uncle of currentHTS Treasurer Robert Hanbury, lived atHitcham House). Wife Clara. Private;Durham Light Infantry. Discharged 12th

November 1017. Died of wounds.Hitcham Memorial.

47 – 24th June 1918 – Charles C Gray MM(24). Railway Clerk. Son of farmer CharlesGray of Iver. Lance Corporal; Oxfordshire &Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died atMontecchio, Italy. Hitcham Memorial,despite no evident local roots.

48 – 8th July 1918 – John H Caudell(21) of Thames Bank, River Road. Son ofMary (daughter of Henry Hoare, once ofSkindles) and solicitor John Caudell.Flight Lieutenant; Royal Air Force.Killed in flying accident at Huntingdon.Taplow Memorial.

49 – 2nd September 1918 – Vincent Poole(19) of Hitcham Farm Cottages. Son ofcowman Thomas, grandson of railwaylabourer Henry Mosdell of 2 Oxford Road(probably Hitcham Lane). Private; RoyalWest Kent Regiment, posted to LondonRegiment. Died in the Somme, France.Hitcham Memorial.

50 – 5th September 1918 – Herbert B Good(19) of The Lodge, Taplow Court. Son ofBarrett Good, Lord Desborough’s butler1880/1945. Flight Lieutenant; Royal AirForce (one of 92nd Squadron’s ‘aces’).Killed in action in Pas­de­Calais, France.Taplow Memorial.

51 – 25th October 1918 – Frederick WBrittain (27) of Paddington. Nurserymanson of nurseryman Frederick Brittain of PineApple Cottage, Lake End. Wife May. AirMechanic; Royal Air Force. Buried inPaddington Old Cemetery, Kilburn. Omittedfrom Taplow Memorial.

52 – 31st October 1918 – Albert C Jeffries(24) of Rotherham. Motor cleaner son ofgardener Albert Jeffries of Taplow Common.Gunner; Royal Field Artillery. Died inFlanders, Belgium. Taplow Memorial (namerecorded as Arthur).

53 – 18th November 1918 – Arthur Beesley(25) of 14 Fair View (now Fairview Road).Baker at Maypole Dairy, Hitcham Road. Sonof Charles Beesley, gardener at WindsorCastle. Wife Ethel. Private; Machine GunCorps. Died of wounds at home. Buried in StMary’s Churchyard. Hitcham Memorial.

54 – 26th May 1919 – Thomas S Sims (32)of The Kennels, Common Road (nowCliveden Road). Manager of MaypoleDairy, Hitcham Road. Brother of Edward(see 26 for family detail). Sergeant;Machine Gun Corps. Died of wounds atFarnborough. Buried in St Nicolas’Churchyard. Taplow Memorial.

55 – William Cook. No information. TaplowMemorial, despite no evident local roots.

St Mary’s War Memorial

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A Tragic Romance Remembered

Canadians played a vital role in both worldwars and deserve to be well­remembered,especially here in Taplow where so many werecared for at Cliveden's Canadian Red CrossHospital. This Newsletter is pleased to share apoignant story of two Canadian families whosecourage, bravery, love and sacrifice a centuryago are particularly memorable.

Jane & Tom Parkinson emigrated in 1885 fromCounty Antrim, Ireland, to Whitewood,Saskatchewan, where he became a school teacherand their daughter Jean Scott Parkinson wasborn. They moved to Carmangay, Alberta, andJean trained as a nurse in nearby Lethbridge.Her graduation was delayed when she fellseriously ill with typhoid in 1917. Sherecovered to enlist in February 1918 as aNursing Sister in the Canadian Army MedicalCorps. Aged just 24 and a Lieutenant in theCanadian Expeditionary Force, she followedher brother and fiancée overseas. She wasposted to Cliveden where Waldorf Astor hadgenerously gifted his polo field, bowling alleyand racquets court for the CEF to establish theCRCH which in September 1917 was renamedNo 15 Canadian General Hospital.

Waldorf and Nancy Astor were devotedto the Hospital. For five years, she gave herlife, fortune and talents to saving lives. Sheknew many of the staff and patientsintimately. She often helped the nurses ortalked with the wounded to raise theirspirits. The low death rate at Taplow wasattributed to her inspiring personality andpresence. It was said she "knew the soul ofCanada better than anyone". Patients calledher 'The Angel of Cliveden'. When Waldorf ceded his father's sunken Italian Garden as

a cemetery in 1916, she commissioned SirBertram MacKennal to create a marblestatue of an angel standing withoutstretched arms facing west as if guidinghome departed souls. Secretly, Nancy wasthe model for its face.

Jean was one of the youngest nurses thereat the time, "a mere slip of a girl". Herdaughter Patricia says she was a favourite ofNancy, who in turn inspired Jean. She neededthat and much support from her nursing palsduring the personal traumas that lay ahead inthat fateful summer of 1918.

Jean Parkinson

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A Familiar Photograph (Jean far left)

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Her brother, William(Bill) Parkinson, hadjoined the cavalry –Lord Strathcona'sHorse – in 1914 andcrossed the Atlanticwith the firstCanadian contingent.In France, where hisIrish cousins JohnScott and GavinWhittley fought anddied, Bill won abattlefield promotion to Sergeant. In October1917, after a furlough in Belfast to visit his family,he was awarded the much­covetedDistinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuousgallantry in the field where he had "displayedboundless energy and fearlessness when he led abombing party to attack four lines of enemydefences, clearing 600 yards of enemy trench,and bombing 19 dugouts himself". He was laterawarded a bar to his DCM for further gallantry.

On 8th August 1918, the Allies launched theirfinal offensive to drive the Germans out of Franceand force peace. Bill charged on horseback throughthe fog at Amiens to capture an enemy machine gunposition singlehanded before suffering severe bulletwounds to his head and abdomen. Somehow, hewas evacuated to Cliveden only to be left outside thetriage tent; they did not expect him to live. Jean wastending to the wounded when – astoundingly, atthat critical moment – she recognised her brotherdespite his injuries. She begged and pleaded withthe doctors to treat him. Her strenuous efforts gothim an emergency operation, and her personalnursing care ensured Willie survived, though heremained dangerously ill for a month. A fortunatebrave man, he was invalided home to Canada in1919 and lived for another 40 years.

Jean had a sweetheart, Clarence (Clall)Sherlock, to whom she was engaged to bemarried. The Sherlocks were a well­establishedand much­respected family in Lethbridge. Clallhad been a school teacher and then a reporter andeditor with the Lethbridge Herald newspaper. Heenlisted in 1915, was shipped first to Camp Witleyin Surrey then posted in July 1916 to France as abombardier with the Canadian Field Artillery toserve on the front lines in the Somme Valley andat Arras. He was severely wounded and in 1917returned to England to convalesce. After severalmonths in hospital, he joined the 57th Training

Depot Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service tobecome a flight training instructor. Despite alucky escape in France when the propeller of hisplane 'scalped' the crown of his head, he waspromoted to Second Lieutenant.

When Jean arrived at Cliveden in Spring 1918,Clall was based at Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Hetook ten days leave and travelled to meet hisfiancée. They enjoyed romantic walks through thebeautiful grounds but, as they stood in silence inthe cemetery, he seems to have had a premonitionof his own death. After nine months of trainingothers to fly, he had nearly completed his owncombat training and was being readied to returnto the front line. Although Jean tried to laugh himout of his melancholy, Clall told her that, shouldanything happen to him, he would like to beburied at Cliveden.

With its founding on 1st April 1918, Clall'ssquadron was transferred to the Royal Air Force.Sadly, on 19th August, his aircraft was in mid­aircollision with another. Both pilots and a pupilwere killed instantly. Jean was told of his death bytelephone. Soon afterwards, she received a letterClall had written after their holiday together withinstruction that it only be posted in the event ofhis death. In it, he hoped she would never have toopen the letter. He talked of the future, of being"companioned by death for over three years" andhow he had never been afraid. "Death might bejust around the corner", he wrote, and repeatedhis desire to be buried at Cliveden. P

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Autumn 2018 Page 8 Hitcham and Taplow Society

Page 9: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Although the sacrifice of front­line combatantsis well­remembered, that of trainee pilots is not.The astounding fact is more pilots [includingTaplovian John Caudell; see Page 6] were killed intraining than in combat. Such losses were keptstrictly secret for a long time so as not to adverselyaffect morale and recruitment.

Permission was granted for Clall to be buriedat Cliveden as he desired. He was given a fullmilitary funeral. His grave was covered withflowers: a white bridal­like wreath from hisfiancée and further tributes from the medicalstaff and nurses, from his flying Corps and fromthe chief surgeon, Lieutenant­Colonel FrankMewburn, who remembered bringing the boyinto the world 23 years previously. Twelve yearslater, in 1930, Nancy Astor fondly rememberedClarence Sherlock to a reporter who wasinterviewing her.

Back home in Canada, news did not arriveuntil 22nd August that Bill had been seriouslywounded and, just a few hours later, that Clallhad been killed. Jean's mother wrote to her, "MyDarling child, if I could only hold you in myarms…. You are alone, yet not alone for Jesusnever leaves his people…. We and Clarence'smother are praying God give you strength".

More bad news was to come. Clall's brotherRobert Sherlock was a graduate of McGillUniversity in Montreal. Whilst waiting to beshipped overseas from Halifax, Nova Scotia, hefell victim to the terrible 'Spanish Flu' epidemicthat raged during 1918/19 killing more peoplethan the Great War. The worldwide spread ofthe disease was greatly aided by the largecamps and troop movements. Robert died ofpneumonia on 15th October 1918. His andClall's deaths were a terrible double blow fortheir poor widowed mother Christabelle andsister Marjorie.

In July 1919, Jean returned to Canada whereshe continued to nurse wounded servicemen.Her love for Clall never died though in 1922 shemarried Fred Alexander, a veteran fromCampbelton, New Brunswick. They had threedaughters whom she raised with great love anddevotion. She had to endure further challenges inher later life, but she met all with her usualcourage, positive pioneering outlook, andoutpouring of love. She was an inspiring womandeeply loved by many in return. She lived life tothe full, eventually passing away in 1987 inFontana, California, aged 97. As she wished, herremains were taken back to Canada to be buried inSt Paul, Alberta, with her dear brother Bill, whoselife she had saved. At the graveside, Patricia sangthe Red Cross Song that Jean had taught her. Jean'sspirit lives on in her family, in those families whoseloved ones she saved, and in the minds of hermany friends whom she touched.

For me, it has been a tremendous privilege tohave known my grandfather's cousin Jean – OldJane as she was fondly known to us – to learnher poignant story which she rarely talked aboutand to pen this timely tribute to her, Clall andtheir families who made such sacrifices so closeto the end of that most terrible war.

Trevor Whittley of Edinburgh, with special thanksto Patricia Murray of California

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Hitcham and Taplow Society Autumn 2018 Page 9

Page 10: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Still in Flux

Newsletter 109 observed that many 'hot topics' werein states of flux. Most still simmer on the backburner where they will come to the boil eventually.Meanwhile, over the past six months, the Societyhas examined 33 planning applications andcommented on four in its endeavour to keep a fingeron the pulse and members in touch.

SBDC has deliberated since December whetherto release Cliveden Stud cottages (1) fromagricultural ties and since March whether DunloeLodge (4) should be reconstructed as nineapartments instead of the single dwelling alreadyapproved. Concerns are that the first might be thethin end of a wedge aimed at comprehensiveredevelopment and the second threatens 'creep' tooverdevelopment. Meanwhile, BCC has delayedwork on its much­maligned A4 Cycleway (16).

The Society has influenced eight other matterswhich beg questions despite decisions being made.

After seven months deliberation, SBDCapproved a temporary dwelling at Challen'sChicks in Marsh Lane (17) giving the ownerthree years to demonstrate a successful businessand seek permission for a permanent building.Ellington Gardens (10) has seen a new houseapproved, an application withdrawn to insteadbuild two and approval given for the singlehouse to be re­sited.

The withdrawal of the application for ariverside gastro­pub (6) has the air of something

shelved rather than refused on Green Belt grounds.Could SBDC revive its long­cherished idea of takingall or some of the Mill Lane triangle out of the GreenBelt? An application to replace the boathouses (5)with 13 dwellings was also withdrawn to bereplaced by a different developer's proposal foreight houses which will be exhibited in the OldBoathouse on 12th November.

Has RBWM ended ambitions for the Riviera Hotel(8), declined because its proposed conversion to flatswould reduce Maidenhead Riverside's leisure amenity,and for a Hindu community centre off Boulter's Lockcar park (2), rejected on appeal due to potential parkingoverload? Here on the Bucks bank, we share thisconcern since the new footbridge (3) will enablevisitors to the lock and its restaurant to park in MillLane, and we have our own ongoing sagas. SBDC hasrefused two applications on Green Belt grounds butone, a retrospective application to extend the recentlyconverted care home at The Hawthorns (9), has goneto appeal and the other, for an 82­bed care home toreplace Roots Garden Centre (15), may be merelypostponed since the draft Local Plan proposes to re­designate the site from Green Belt to Employment.

Work has started on Taplow Station's newfootbridge (14) but the Elizabeth Line is delayed tonobody knows when, the renovation of Brunel'shistoric railway bridge (11) could cause serviceinterruptions and floods are back under StationRoad bridge. However, our County Councillor DevDhillon is seeking ideas to improve parking at andaround the station. Any suggestions?

The Bath Road's junction with HuntercombeLane (13) briefly had an experimental mini­roundabout with poorly designed approaches andsightlines obscured by bollards and notices. Trafficflows didn't improve but, without a properroundabout and two westbound lanes from thenearby M4 roundabout, was the experiment simply

The New and Old Boathouses

Autumn 2018 Page 10 Hitcham and Taplow Society

Page 11: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Our reach of the River Thames,once a social whirl, has edgedtowards a dormitory. Ideas forredeveloping Skindles emergedin the 1960s only to meander foryears. By 1991, the whole of MillLane was in the mix, sufferingheavy commercial traffic andheady ambitions for offices, ahotel and many houses. Howmight Taplow benefit? An ideaemerged for a picnic area with afootbridge across to Ray MillIsland and Boulter's Lock.Prospective developerswriggled but Taplow's lobbyingleft its mark. Society chairmanHeather Fenn allied withMaidenhead Civic Society,George Sandy convinced

RBWM, nudged decisions and,in 2013, SBDC made thefootbridge a planning condition.Berkeley Homes rose to thechallenge. Martin Knight'sgraceful span was floated intoplace last December and on 2ndNovember fireworks followedits opening by Prime MinisterTheresa May. There will be acompetition to name the bridgebut no delay enjoying indaylight hours a delightful 1.35­mile round­river walk. And onthe circle, another reason tocelebrate: four days later – likeDr Who – Skindles regeneratedyet again, this time as 'Roux atSkindles', a brasserie combiningtwo iconic names. But what

now? The stronger the Society,the better it can focus onTaplow and Maidenheaduniting in the common causeof making the most of ourgreatest shared asset: OldFather Thames.

designed to fail? The Society and TPC are hoping toinfluence next Spring's restoration of Berry HillFarm quarry (12), possibly to provide some publicaccess. Any suggestions?

There is little comfort in this detail, with goodreason: strategic planning is weak yet over­complexand dogmatically policy­driven. The delay in the newLocal Plan could have serious consequences; agovernment inspector ruled on appeal in favour of anapplicant because RBWM's plan was not up­to­date.Even more worryingly, possible changes aren't alwaysaired for public consultation. SBDC keeps potentialGreen Belt boundary changes very close to its chest yetthose seeking to profit from our patch seem to havemysterious levels of knowledge of such things.

Planning portfolio holder Councillor John Reed claimsSBDC is willing to listen but if everybody – includingour District Councillor George Sandy – is kept in thedark, who can comment?At least we're aware BCC aims to reduce costs byclosing one or two of its ten household recyclingcentres (HRCs) or by closing three for two dayseach week. It is 3.1 miles from Taplow VillageGreen to our local Burnham HRC, which is at riskon both counts. BCC alternatives Langley andBeaconsfield are 9.7 and 10.6 miles away, soaverage annual 'rubbish miles' could more thantriple. Imagine the ecological benefit of going just2.5 miles to Braywick HRC. Don't hold your breath.Taplow is Maidenhead only to the Post Office.

First Crossings Martin & Fans

The Doctor

River Revival

Hitcham and Taplow Society Autumn 2018 Page 11

Page 12: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Where's Hitcham?

For those in the know, this might seem astrange question. Not so for a Mill Lanenewcomer invited a few months ago to jointhe Society. This Newsletter sees anopportunity to enlighten…

Hitcham and Taplow both have longerhistories than Slough or Maidenhead (firstnoted by name in 1195 and 1296respectively). These ancient strip parishes –so called for being long and thin to ensureeach community had natural springs,farmland and woods – had been establishedfor centuries before being noted by theNormans in the 1086 Domesday Book asHucheham (with 11 households) andThapeslau (with 24). Each evolved to bemedieval manors and ecclesiastical parishes,and Taplow acquired a remote northernwoodland, although not as distinctivelynamed as Dorney's Dorneywood (isolated inBurnham). The railway arrived in 1838.Populations grew, especially along the BathRoad, Hitcham Road and Nearways (nowEastfield Road), an area known as HitchamNew Town. Both became civil parishes in1894. Taplow was home to 1,127 people in1911 and Hitcham to 649. Hitcham was splitbetween Taplow and Burnham in 1934 butremained an ecclesiastical parish, centred onSt Mary's Church, and was home in 1959 tothose inspired to lead the foundation of theSociety with the aim of protecting theprimarily rural character of both parishes.

James Brokenshire, the new Secretary of State forLocal Government, announced on 1st Novemberthat Buckinghamshire's County and DistrictCouncils will merge to create a single UnitaryAuthority (UA). BCC's abysmal lack of 'localism'led the Society to favour two UAs. Our MPDominic Grieve advised that the alliance of SBDC,Chiltern and High Wycombe was "feasible" butBrokenshire was persuaded Aylesbury Vale has toofew residents to stand alone. Is he unaware that theVale's main towns are to grow by 50% and itsoverall population by 40% even without the likelyencroachment of Milton Keynes, which knowsmore than most about new town development and

evolution? How can he fail to see the strategicmasterstroke of merging the two?

"Local hubs" are proposed but will theCountywide UA be "simpler, more local andbetter value" as claimed, or will it care less anddo less even less well? BCC's idea of devolvingvarious responsibilities to TPC with inadequatefunding suggests that much of what Districts donow might also be pushed down. Can parishcouncils cope? Will precepts rise? And as haslong been feared, could Taplow suffer Hitcham'sloss of identity by being bundled into a mega­parish with rural Dorney (not so bad) and urbanBurnham (not so good)?

Whither Taplow?

Autumn 2018 Page 12 Hitcham and Taplow Society

Page 13: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Court in the Act

Soka Gakkai International's annual summerreception on 7th June was an opportunity for DirectorGeneral Robert Harrap to look back at recentactivities at Taplow Court. This Newsletter is pleasedto summarise his review…

Throughout the 30years since SGIestablished its nationalheadquarters here,we have welcomedstudents of Buddhismfrom all over the UK,from around Europeand elsewhere,especially America,India and Japan.However, as an open­minded religiousorganisation, we also

host many other events and interfaith activitiesaround the three main themes of peace, cultureand education. We value such opportunitiesto aid like­minded organisations achieve theirworthwhile aims and deeply appreciate thewarm friendships that have developed withindividuals and organisations in the localcommunity. Here is a flavour of our diaryover the past year internationally, nationallyand locally…

SGI has since 2007 been involved as apartner with the International Campaign toAbolish Nuclear Weapons. Having heldexhibitions here at Taplow Court and givenlectures making suggestions about acceleratingthe peace process, we were delighted last yearwhen, in July, the United Nations adopted atreaty which will make nuclear weapons illegalunder international law, and, in December,ICAN was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. July2017 was also memorable for our pleasure atwelcoming the Thai Ambassador, manydistinguished Thai guests and the Anglo­ThaiSociety to a reception which commemorated the120th anniversary of Lord Desborough rentingTaplow Court to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)of Siam, whose father King Mongkut wasportrayed by Yul Brynner in the 1951 musicalThe King and I. We were grateful to St Nicolas'School for the loan of the King of Siam's Cupwhich Chulalongkorn presented to the schooland is still awarded for sports today.

In the field of education, pupils and studentsfrom 14 schools and universities came to hear aboutBuddhism, the history of the house, or both. Werecently hosted a conference together withUniversity College London and the Institute ofEducation looking at Global Citizenship educationand Sustainable Development Goals, and ourlibrary of oriental philosophy continues to be aresource visited by academics and members of thepublic alike.

We play an active part in the Windsor andMaidenhead Community Forum, hosting inJanuary the first of the Forum's season's dialoguemeetings, and have had fundraising events forcharities such as Thames Valley Hospice and manyothers, including a fashion show in our Ikeda NewCentury Hall in aid of Slough Refugees. We heldconcerts from the London Male Voice Choir, VoicesAnon and, on 27th April, the now regular fixture ofthe Rotary organising Maidenhead's Got Talent! I wasdelighted that St Nicolas' School was involved thisyear in this showcase for primary school childrenin the afternoon and secondary school children inthe evening. And I am pleased that DorneyHorticultural Society and its ilk are recognising thatour gardens are worth a special visit thanks to thefantastic work of Phil Rollinson, our head gardener,who with his team of staff and volunteers make thesetting of Taplow Court look even more beautifulevery year.

Did you see SGI's annual summer exhibition 'Seedsof Hope' which raised awareness of the United NationsSustainable Development Goals and celebrated variouspeople around the world tackling ecological issues andmaking a difference in the environment? The nextNewsletter will give the dates of Summer 2019 OpenDays when visitors can enjoy exploring Taplow Court, itsgardens and next year's exhibition.

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Hitcham and Taplow Society Autumn 2018 Page 13

Page 14: Hitcham and Taplow Society Newsletter autumn 2018€¦ · Cottages (near The Feathers). Nightwatchman at Cliveden where his family had worked since before 1788. Stepcousin to Herbert

Until late last year, people

hurried along Boundary Road

past Wellbank’s bulging

eastern wall worrying its

col lapse could be imminent.

What a rel ief when it was

careful ly dismantled. Now

the curving streetscape has

been restored by a new wall

built with the old bricks. Well

done, Wellbank!

Snapshots Beware the Knockers! Thames ValleyPol ice are warning that the surreptitiousaim of anyone sel l ing household productsdoor-to-door may be to identify those whoare elderly, gul l ible or vulnerable and sel lthat knowledge to scammers or burglars.Some seek sympathy by claiming to betrying to rebuild their l ives afterimprisonment. Some offer as identificationa Hawker’s Certificate. This is bogus. Ifthey don’t have a Pedlar’s Certificateissued under strict conditions by TVP, saysimply “I do not buy goods and services atthe door” then firmly but pol itely close thedoor. Never answer any questions. Cal l101 immediately and give TVP adescription of the Knocker and anyassociated vehicle.

Summer was long and dry. The hot sun

parched grass sandy brown and(probably

focused by broken bottles) caused it to burst

into flame at the Recreation Ground and on

Jubilee Meadow. Fortunately, damage was

l imited to scorched earth and bald

patches.

The Society’s 33rd Annual Midsummer

Vil lage Green Party on 23rd Junewas

once again a great success, thistime

with a novel innovation: childrenhad fun

being snapped into Dave McNulty’s

stocks to be splatted with wet sponges.

Thanks to al l who donated prizesfor the

raffle, which made £750 for Taplow

Cricket Club, and especial ly to Alastair

Hil l and his wonderful team whoenabled

almost 400 people to make merry.

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Autumn 2018 Page 14 Hitcham and Taplow Society

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St Nicolas’ Church and School usual ly have

separate summer fetes at the Rectory and on the

school field. The Pre-School Playgroup has no

similar annual fund-raising event. This year was

different. On 30th June, they jointly organised

and shared equal ly the £5,299.39 raised at a

fabulous Community Fete on thebrowning Green.

The Church’s third included £276.50 that

St Anne's Church, Dropmore, hadtaken at its

tombola stal l (and retained) butnot the £500 made for

its Southside Appeal from tours of the Church and sales

of items donated specifical ly towards the £75,000 target

of this roof repair fund. Since then, a 13-hour

‘Psalmathon’ (the singing of al l 150 psalms) raised the

roof to the tune of over £3,700,a Coffee Morning took

£450, sponsors of ChurchwardenPhil Taylor and his

daughter Christine – who cycled45 miles from

Buckingham Place via RichmondPark and the Long Walk

to Windsor Castle – contributed£599 (and the same to

The Prince’s Trust), a Bonfire & Bangers Evening added

£686 to the kitty and the recipe book ‘A Taste of Taplow’

is now on sale at

£10 each.

Every dog has its

day, but three in two

months? That takes

the Bonio. The Fete

took the lead. Cat

Browning, Jules

Schindler & Co had

it l icked at the Recreation

Ground on 9th September when over 200

people at Taplow Dog Show raised sums not

to be sniffed at: £300 for THRGAand £700

for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Thetail

wagged on 30th September whenthe Royal

East Berks Agricultural Association fol lowed

the scent to its 165th PloughingMatch and

Dog Show at Barge Farm. Paws to consider:

has going to the dogs ever been so popular?

All valiant fund-raisers deserve muchcredit, none more so than two trulymagnificent nutcases. Being gluttons forpunishment, Chris Ashford and DuncanLeftley decided their rehabilitation from(respectively) a broken neck and hip surgeryshould be to ‘do the DW’. This epic paddle – a125-mile overnight canoe marathon down theKennet & Avon Canal and the River Thamesfrom Devizes to Westminster – also involves 77portages totalling over 13 miles. After monthsof intensive training, they cast off at 8am on31st March aiming to shoot Maidenhead Bridgeat 11pm and finish mid-morning on 1st April,Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, heavy rain onGood Friday swelled the Thames to dangerlevel. All crews were stopped at Reading tospare them the raging torrent. With the aid oftheir amazing support crew, they had done 54miles and 57 portages in good time, raisingover £5,000 for the Childhood EyeCancer Trust. Respect!

Phil & Christine

Clemency & Sampson

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Hitcham and Taplow Society Autumn 2018 Page 15

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The Other Sussex

Taplow was excited on 19th May when theAmerican TV actress Meghan Markle was drivendown Berry Hill from her overnight stay atCliveden to marry Prince Harry in St George'sChapel, Windsor Castle, and become theDuchess of Sussex. The excitement continueswith an exclusive opportunity to see behind­the­scenes glimpses of their wedding (see below).

Meghan shares a tenuous Taplow connectionwith the only other woman to assume her title.Lady Augusta Murray secretly wed PrinceAugustus (sixth son of George III) and in 1794gave birth to his son. The king did not approve.He had the marriage annulled and exiledAugustus to Italy only for the couple to reunite

in 1800 and produce a daughter. Georgeintervened once more, creating Augustus Dukeof Sussex in 1801, granting him £12,000 peryear and exiling him to Portugal on conditionhe left Augusta in London. She was pennilessbut resourcefully styled herself Duchess ofSussex until being granted £4,000 per year foreuphemistic "services rendered to the plantersof Barbados".

Augusta's Taplow connection? After theannulment of her marriage, she resumed heraffair with her distant cousin Lord ArchibaldHamilton, the great­great­nephew of GeorgeHamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney, lord of bothCliveden and Taplow Court. Then as now, whennot centre­stage, Taplow has a knack of gettingcast in a cameo role.

Editor: Nigel SmalesThe Cottage, Rectory Road, Taplow. Tel 01628 661636

E­mail: [email protected] otherwise stated, the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Society or its Committee.

The Newsletter is published by the Hitcham and Taplow Society.Prepared for printing by Andrew Findlay using Scribus, Linux, and The Gimp

Printed by Gpex

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HTS AGM

8pm Friday 7th December, Taplow Village Hall

Afterwards, by special arrangement, the Society will show ‘Operation Royal Wedding’, a film ofHarry & Meghan’s Wedding introduced by RBWM Event Manager Wayne Wedgbury

(see the Society’s website and AGM Notice).