Sir, With reference to the interesting article (Wantage and Grove Herald, September 3) on Wantage and the First World War, I have been researching the part played by the men (and women) from Wantage in the Great War and am gradually writing a book for publication. The actual war memorial for Wantage is the recreation ground in Manor Road and how this came about is as follows.

In 1917, a petition from Sister Kathleen from St Mary’s Home in Wantage was received by Wantage Urban District Council listing 868 persons, mainly boys and girls, asking for a place to play instead of the streets. Nothing further happened due to the war.

In June 1919, there was a public meeting in the Town Hall to consider a war memorial. Four suggestions were made — a new hospital, a recreation ground, premises for the Comrades of the Great War and a public lavatory! The recreation ground proposal found most favour and a general committee was formed.

In August that year, this committee had an offer from Mr E B Ormond, on behalf of his father, of the whole of the field in Newbury Street. The council accepted the offer and the recreation ground was developed by public subscription under the direction of a joint committee of the Comrades of the Great War and the council.

The committee raised £82 1s 9d in a house-to-house collection and made a profit of £56 1s 11d on a sports day to clear the remaining debt. The Wantage War Memorial Recreation Ground was opened on May 13, 1920.

According to a list of names compiled by the Comrades of the Great War (foreunner of the Royal British Legion) in 1919 and listed on panels in the Comrades Club, there were a total of 1,107 ex-servicemen in the Wantage District at the time.

Trevor Hancock Priory Orchard Wantage