Private William Johnson Ox & Bucks Light Infantry 5th Battalion 10677 A Company. His granddaughter Pamela Smith has put together these items.
William was the first young man in Bampton to volunteer and the town awarded him a clock for this. He was also the first soldier to be awarded the Military Medal. This account by Pamela recounts his battles, the conditions, Christmas and much more.
Only five different medals were struck during the war and William was award four.
A newspaper account of the home-coming of William January 1916. William had already been award the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in the field for recovering lieutenant Wood. He was met at Bampton & Brize Norton station by Mr Alfie Bryant in a car kindly lent by Mr Collett. A rapturous welcome awaited him in Bampton and he was presented with a handsome marble clock inscribed "Presented by friends in Bampton to Pte William Johnson O.B.L.I. on being awarded the DCM for gallantry in action 1915.
Freda Daniels was not quite 3 years old when she was dressed up to sell poppies in 1929. She was born April 13th 1927. The photograph of her sitting has '3 years old' written on the back. When she married she became Mrs Freda Bradley.
Shadrack Hayden, known as Shadrack 'Shepherd' Hayden was a wonderful singer of folk music at a time when there were still many people who could not read and write and social history was past on very much in folks songs. His life was one of a shepherd and family man and makes for very interesting reading. In the photograph he is seen with one of his grandchildren. You can hear the wonderful songs Shadrack sang on YouTube
Record of John White's memoirs created by his great great great grandchild AKA Jackie White. 1824-1905 Resident of Sandford Cottage married Ann Bedwell (servant of Dr. John Allen Giles)
Catalogue of the contents of The Elms, Broad Street , being the belongings of Mrs Davey. The catalogue was owned by Mrs K Jackson and is marked up with prices achieved.