New stained glass window to mark fallen in Awbridge

As Britain was dragged deeper and deeper into a bloody conflict seven sons from a Hampshire village signed up to fight for their country – and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

For more than 100 years churchgoers in Awbridge have seen their names on the war memorial but felt that more should have been done to honour them.

Now, thanks to funding from Hampshire County Council which was matched by the parish council, their names will shine in glory.

Villagers from across Awbridge were joined by serving Armed Forces personnel to stop and watch as the sun shone through a new stained-glass window at the parish church.

Members of the 206 Signal Squadron, 3 Signal Regiment joined more than 100 villagers at All Saints Church to honour the seven brothers-in-arms who died in battlefield across Europe in the Great War.

Children from Awbridge Primary School joined their neighbours in the special service dedicating the window to the church.

Designed by specialist glassmaker Jon Callan, the window was funding through a grant from a Hampshire County Council's fund, set up to help groups and organisations commemorate the anniversaries of the First World War and also D-Day.

Further funding to meet the £4,000 needed to create the window was provided by the parish council.

The Bishop of Southampton, Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, lead the service from 2pm with children from Awbridge Primary School singing a song composed specially for the service.

Commanding officer of 3 Signals Regiment, Lt Col Anthony Smith gave a bible reading before Lance Corporal Mark Houlden read out the names of the fallen soldiers.

Awbridge parish councillor Pam Harvey said it was “a truly memorable village event”.

“The window is no longer a 'project'. It is now an enduring piece of art which is integral to life in Awbridge,” she said.

Church warden Fred Tucker said: “We’ve had a Send World War window but the First Word War has never been commemorated. This was a step to close that particular circle, both from the church and from the village families.

“Their names have appeared on the village war memorial but they haven’t appeared in the church before now.

“I’m extremely pleased for the children that worked on it and to everybody in the village.”

The Seven First World War Soldiers of Awbridge

Private Frederick Broomfield, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, died May 16, 1918, aged 32.

Private Alfred Eldridge, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, died October 20, 1914, aged 19.

Private Frank Milward Newell 1st/4th Battalion York and Lancashire Regiment, died October 13, 1918, aged 19.

Trimmer William Charles Noble SS Arcadian, died April 15, 1917.

Private Ernest Arnold Vivash, 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died September 27, 1918, aged 18.

Corporal Charles James Sillence, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, died March 28, 1918, aged 40.

Rifleman William Parsons, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, died July 24, 1917, age unknown.