Honouring memory of Guilden Morden WW1 soldiers
Alfred Leonard (known to his family as Tom), died in action at Paeschedaele. He was only 21 when he died. His name is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. - Credit: Archant
It is sometimes difficult to evoke the life of a fallen soldier when scanning the lists of names carved into a First World War roll of honour.
James Foxon (known to his family as Jim), who died in France of pneumonia, having spent long periods of time in deep water in the trenches. James was only 19 when he died. - Credit: Archant
But relatives of two servicemen from Guilden Morden are on a mission to find out more about war heroes from the village, to honour the men who laid down their lives for the country.
Julie Robinson and her family are related to soldiers Alfred Tom Leonard and James Foxon, both victims of the Great War.
Alfred Leonard – known to his family as Tom – died in action at Passchendaele when he was only 21. His name is listed on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.
James Foxon – known to his family as Jim – died in France of pneumonia, having spent long periods of time in deep water in the trenches. He was only 19 when he died and his grave sits in Rouen.
Julie Robinson (right) with Joyce Robinson, (far left, who passed away in 2013) and Julie's aunt, Wendy Carmody (middle) outside the war memorial at Guilden Morden. The family are escendants of the Foxon and Leonard families. - Credit: Archant
The family is calling on people with relatives from the village to come forward with photographs, memories and other information such as date of birth and occupation for a framed memorial.
Julie said: “Any information, even the smallest of detail would be gratefully received.”
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The plan is to then display the memorial in St Mary’s Church in Guilden Morden in time for the Remembrance Day service in November.
Julie has also discovered family ties through the project.
She met Barbara Haines, niece of Alfred Leonard, through their mutual interest in the war memorial, and the pair are working together on the project.
All information and photos should either be sent by post to Julie Robinson at 50 Tavistock Avenue, St Albans, AL1 2NJ or emailed to julierobinson100@hotmail.co.uk. Julie can also be contacted by phone on 07956 466253.
