NO MAN CAME HOME

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1921, Page 4

NO MAN CAME HOME

TB.U.’KDY ()!•’ ttIt.VVKST VII.I.AOK. There lias been unveiled in Holywell Church (l.iuculnshire) a singular monument. in whati 1 have hoard sumo people say lu-day is "the bravest, village ill Kngland’' (writes the correspondent of the l.umlnn "Daily News”). it is a menuirinL to practically 100 whole of the young lighting strength ot ih<* village a simple tablet ot white stone let into the church wall, hearing the Haines of twelve ill-starred men who joined 1 lie eiilonrs at the beginning nf the war and who have all perished.

When you hear Holywell’s tragic war history you will cease to wonder why there is no lull her about, discharged soldiers and sailors’ funds, tm unemployment problem for ex-soldiers fii solve, and mi juivnl re-unions or regimental cclchralions in the village, No man came home from the war at Holywell at. least, none of those who joined up front I hat village. That is the shadow that always hangs over the homes. One hul, was in the point of getting into “civvies” and u home-coming was lining prepared for hint hut, he. was stricken with disease and died. Five others perished at. (inllipoli. They still talk of Sulva. (’ay in the village, and of ‘Jutland. It is only a small village with sacrccly a hundred inhabitant#. Midshipman Hood, one of the heroes, was the son Inf l.ieiit. Col. Aelaild I loud licvnardsntt, of Holyw ell Hall, and brother of the late Lord St. Audries.

Valets, stablemen, game-keepers and a dog boy won- among the ill-starred I-J. Tlie loss of young Hood was a. great Idow to his mothor. wlio did a vast amount of hospital work, and the villagers say it was partly grief through the loss of the hoy that hastened hor death. The son bon ami T stood in fromt of the memorial tablet, and ho recited as if he knew it by heart the war history of each hero. 77e knew them well. They were “Kit-ehener’s lads.” ho said. There are rot t ages in Holywell where letters written homo from the front are carefully kept under lock and key. Photographs hang above the mantelpiece and medals and memorial pla<iues are still retained in their War Office wrappers as they were sent to the parents. All the cheerful, light-hearted soklie r men have their names inscribed on the church wall. That is the end of the war for the mothers and fathers of Holywell.