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.
This post card shows a picture of Jean and Peter Elliot who owned and ran the Talbot Inn in the Market Square on the left and Maurice and Rene Wiggins who ran the Horse Shoe Inn seen on the right.
Bampton had a brass band in the very early days of the twentieth century. The picture of them playing outside the Town Hall, taken in 1908 was kindly lent to the Archive by Barbara Daw.
December 17th 1902 in aid of The Foresters' Brass Band.
Christina Ann James from Bowling Green Close in Bampton married Anthony John Shurey of Clanfield at Witney Registry Office in 1974. Best man was Richard Snook.
