The final instalment of Cathie James’ researches on St Michael’s and the Great War - 90 years on, as recorded in the church magazine, 1915-1918.

July 1916 ..we have lost one of our best and dearest lads in the War – Kenneth Hallward (his parents were very active church members; his father was the choir treasurer and his mother treasurer of the High Altar Flower Fund). A wreath hangs over his vacant seat in the choir and will remain there until we put up the permanent memorial in the church to him and his companions who have given their lives for their country in this war.

Following on the death of Father Stevens’ brother (Fr Stevens was the St Michael’s curate) – the comely lad who reminded us of ‘David’, being ruddy and fair of countenance - comes the sad news from France of the death of Alexander Robinson, the only son of our churchwarden. He was one of the most regular and devout servers at the altar, and had a promising career in front of him, having done well at university and taken a good degree in Science though so young.

In October 1917 the magazine reports the presentation of a bishop’s throne to the church by Mr and Mrs Robinson in memory of their son.

It stands where Lieutenant Robinson used so often to have his place among the servers before he went out to the war ….it is a fitting memorial to a good son, a good soldier and a good Christian.

This chair is still up in the sanctuary on the north side of the High Altar and when I polish its brass memorial plaque, as I do from time to time, I shall think of young Albert Alexander Robinson who died on the Somme aged only 21.

May 1917 – Everybody who knew Arthur Birket Foster was deeply grieved to hear of his death at the Front in France. He will be remembered by many as the Archangel Gabriel in the Bethlehem tableaux, a character for which he was wonderfully fitted by the spiritual beauty of his countenance... (Second Lt Foster was the son of the famous Victorian watercolourist Myles Birket Foster) And lastly in January 1918 we learn that during the past month Dunkley, Bavin, Taylor and Tolson have all been reported killed. Tolson used to come out with us carolling. Taylor’s father often helped with his violin in the masses….and Dunkley, dear Dunkley, most earnest of the servers at the Altar and a famous swinger of the thurible – how we shall miss his cheery face. To think he is gone! A staunch churchman, and helpful in services even on the field of battle, as we learned from a chaplain. Goodbye Dunkley and God be with you!

In 1998 a presentation about Leonard Dunckley was assembled by David Beresford and Geoff Callister to mark the 80th anniversary of the Armistice. It included dramatised readings from Dunckley’s letters from the front. Dunckley died in Palestine in November 1917 – he is buried in the military cemetery in Jerusalem (see below). Parishioners visited his grave for a short service during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Bishop of Kensington.

A touching conclusion comes in August 1918 when the vicar is soliciting the donation of precious stones to decorate a memorial chalice in memory of “friends fallen in the war". In what can only be a plea to that generation of women whose chances of a happily married future had died with their husbands and sweethearts, Rev Cartmel Robinson writes: There must be a number of ladies who have gems in their possession of whose future disposal they are in doubt. They could not do better than give them, and so preserve them for sacred use, in the commemoration of those who have shed their blood in the great sacrifice.