Capturing, preserving and sharing Solihull's history. Also commemorating local casualties from the First World War #SolihullRemembers
To mark Bickenhill Parish Council’s centenary (1894-1994), a 14-foot clock tower was installed in August 1997 at the top end of Marston Green’s Garden of Memory between Station Road and Elmdon Road. The clock was inaugurated at 3pm on 14th September 1997 and has since become an iconic part of Marston Green.
Continue reading “Marston Green Centenary Clock”
Many local men and youths went away to war and the local Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital set up at Prospect Villas in Marston Green served to provide all too necessary care for the wounded who returned home. Sadly 13 were never to return from this conflict.
Continue reading “Marston Green VAD Hospital”
In 1937, there was to be a celebration in Marston Green with the Coronation of King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth. A Coronation Celebrations Committee was made up of many of the local public figures and between them they organised a day of events starting at 9.30 in the morning and closing with a bonfire and fireworks display at 10.00 that night.
Continue reading “Marston Green: Coronation Day 1937”
17th April 2022 is the 85th anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of St Leonard’s Church, Marston Green.
Continue reading “St Leonard’s Church, Marston Green”
Wednesday 12th May 1937 saw the coronation at Westminster Abbey in London of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The date had been chosen for the coronation of King Edward VIII who had become king on the death of his father George V in January 1936. Although Edward VIII’s abdication in December resulted in a new king and queen on the throne, the coronation date of 12th May was retained.
In Solihull, the event was marked by a three-day carnival, which ran into the Whitsuntide weekend, and many of the villages now in the borough held their own celebrations.
Private Wilfred Garner died of pneumonia on 28th June 1919 at 250 Highbridge Road, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, aged 20. He had served in the Army from 1915 until discharge on 20th March 1919.
Company Sergeant Major Frederick James Carless DCM died of pneumonia whilst serving with the 1st/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was 22 years old.
Private James Walter Brampton, 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, died on 2nd September 1918, aged 26. He was married with one daughter, Phyllis Maud (1915-1997).
Lance Corporal Joseph Austin was killed in action on 19th August 1918 whilst serving with the 10th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), having previously been in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Private Geoffrey Jinks, aged 25, died of illness on 2nd March 1918. He was serving with the 2nd/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, but was transferred to the 288th Area Employment Company, Labour Corps.
Solihull Life 