A considerable amount of further research has been carried out since the Parish at War articles were first published several years ago.The updated research is now published in the book A Parish at War launched on 11.11.11 and obtainable via Deddington Library or email Rob Forsyth
By Michael Allbrook
Not so.
Let us think for a moment about people who lived in the community. The ARP, the Observer Corps, the Home Guard, the Police, Ambulance and Fire Service. All uniformed. Then of course there was the WRVS, St Johns Ambulance, the Women’s Institute and Nurses. There was even a Hospital in Deddington in the Old Rectory. Then there was a procession of Army units from Britain and the USA but also some of our other Allies. They came, they trained, they moved on. Land Girls, the ladies of the Inland Waterways (Eds note:known as Idle Women from the initials IW!) who operated barges all over the country. All of them working together to support their King, Country and their friends and families in the Forces. A truly United Kingdom. We even could find a smattering of Italian and German Prisoners of War.
© Michael Allbrook