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Can you help with First World War information?





We have been going through our archives and, with the help of local historians and community groups, are piecing together the impact that the war to end all wars had on local communities.
The call to serve ones country touched every village, with 20 per cent of the population of East Woodhay and Woolton Hill never returning to their homes.
No more was this felt than with the Vockins family from Hungerford, who had four of six serving sons killed in foreign fields.
Meanwhile, two brothers of Newbury mayor Frank Bazett lost their lives in the conflict. Mr Bazett was awarded the military cross and went on to serve as mayor once again during the Second World War.
One Thatcham man, Alexander Buller Turner, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and bravery in leading men into action during a trench raid.
The horrors of the front were also brought home to the many buildings that were converted into hospitals, including Englefield House and Highclere Castle, to deal with the influx of wounded returning home.
These stories are a sample of West Berkshire’s war experience but we would like to remember as many of those who served as possible.
If you have any information or pictures of relatives or villagers from West Berkshire or North Hampshire who served in the Great War then please contact reporter John Herring on 01635 886633 or email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk



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