A SEARCH has been launched for the relatives of soldiers from a Herefordshire village who lost their lives in conflict.

In 2018, 31 small Oak trees were planted along the “Straight Mile” in Pembridge.

These Oaks were grown from acorns gathered up from beneath the Pembridge Verdun Oak in memory of 31 local men who lost their lives in WW1.

Verdun acorns were sold to raise money for the troops during WW1. One such acorn was purchased at a fete by a local man, Colonel Benn. It was planted in the village and came to be known as the Pembridge Verdun Oak

Unfortunately, Pembridge Verdun Oak split and had to be felled. The trunk has been taken away to form a sculpture that will be returned to the site.

But importantly, more acorns were picked up, planted and have grown on.

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The team behind the project intend to continue the planting along the Straight Mile in memory of those lost since in WW2 and the Iraq War.

They are keen to trace any relatives of the names below and invite them to be involved with this project by planting a tree.

WW1

  • Robert Birt RAF
  • Patrick Bourdillon Capt Kings Shrops light Infantry (KSLI)
  • Oscar Bulmer Capt KSLI
  • William Chandler RM
  • Geoffrey Coxon RAF
  • Stanley Gladwin KSLI
  • Alfred Hyde Border Reg
  • William Owens Welsh Guards

Iraq War

  • Mark Powell SAS

Please contact tony@theleen.co.uk if you are a relative or you know of relatives of the above-named men.


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