Appeal to find descendants of World War One fallen for street naming project
Telford & Wrekin Council and St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council have launched a joint appeal to find descendants of fallen soldiers from World War One – with plans afoot to name streets in a new housing development after them.
The two councils have drawn up a short list of names that could be used based on the Roll Of Honour at the St Georges War Memorial and are now hoping to trace descendants.
Redrow Homes is building 395 homes on a site west of Castle Farm Way in Priorslee after planning was approved by Telford & Wrekin Council earlier this year.
Some of the names on the Roll Of Honour have already been used in other tributes. Names of fallen soldiers in World War One who hailed from St Georges and Priorslee that could be used include:
W Barber
S J Brown
H Capper
J H Carr
T W Carr
W Crook
E Dawes
L Dawes
W Doody
L Downing
J T Earlam
H Edwards
A Evans
A E Evans
W R Evans
E Foulkes
A Hicks
A E Hicks
S Holloway
J Jaundrell
R Johnson
M Jones
T Lane
C E Lyon
A G Mainwaring
B Massey
J Nock
W H Onions
C H Penson
G Price
B Rider
A B Rushton
J N Selby
W Stanworth
P Tonks
W Venables
G Winnall
G H Wynn
Councillor Chris Turley, Telford & Wrekin Council’s lead for the Armed Forces, said: “Both councils think it is an excellent idea to name some of the roads in this extensive new development after soldiers from the St Georges and Priorslee area who lost their lives in World War One.
“The timing of the appeal to trace their descendants to gain permission to do this could not be more appropriate with the centennary of the cessation of hostilities being marked on Armistice Day on Sunday, which also coincides with Remembrance Sunday.
“I hope that any descendants of those brave soldiers listed who become aware of this will get in touch by contacting the parish office on 567700 so we can ask for their permission to use their names. We do appreciate that this may not be easy or achievable given the passage of time but we have to try.”
Councillor Richard Overton, chairman of St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council, said: “This will be a perfect way to recognise the brave and priceless contribution that residents of St Georges and Priorslee made as part of World War One.
“We hope that as many descendants of those who paid the ultimate price will come forward so that those soldiers who lost their lives can be remembered in a very fitting and appropriate way.”
Caption: Councillor Richard Overton and Telford & Wrekin Council's planning specialist Dave Barnett at the Memorial Gates in St Georges with the World War One Roll of Honour.
