Wickford WW1 Propeller Memorial

I am almost embarrassed to say that I have lived in Wickford for 20 years and never visited a couple of World War 1 memorials that lie within about 1.5 miles from our house. Well as today was such a nice sunny day we decided to explore the fields of the nearby Dolly's Farm to see if we could seek out the two memorials which we had heard of.

The walk was quite slow as Tina had stubbed her toe earlier in the day (probably broken) and was trailing behind - there and back took us about an hour and 15 mins. Enroute Holly started panicking as we had to cross the outskirts of a field where there was some clay pigeon shooting taking place and she thought she was going to get shot.

But we eventually found the first memorial stone and then ventured on further to eventually find the famous propeller memorial. After a bit of research it found out that two British airmen were killed when they had been sent up to find a lone German aircraft heading towards London on the night of March 7th 1918. Capt. Stroud was sent from Rochford and the second man, Capt. Alexander Bruce Kynoch, set off from Stow Maries. They collided with one another over Shotgate, probably because of bad weather conditions, and were killed, their planes coming down in a field on Dollyman’s Farm. Stroud belonged to the 61st Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), formerly the Royal Engineers. Kynoch was a member of the 37th squadron of the RFC, formerly the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.  Stroud was flying SE 5a B679, Kynoch – BE 12 C3208.

Anyway it was a lovely little walk with the family on a gorgeous day, we all learnt something new and got some exercise in the process. Me more than others as Holly got tired legs and needed a piigy back most of the way home!

Exploring the fields of Dolly's farm in search for the WW1 memorials of Shotgate.

Tina trailing behind with her sore toe.

My ladies.

 The first memorial we found reads “This spot is sacred to the memory of Capt. Henry Clifford Stroud, RFC and RE. Killed in action at midnight 7th March 1918”.

In memory of Kynoch and Stroud.

The famous propeller memorial adorned with flowers probably still left over from VE day.

Nice to see some reefs and poppies on the memorial.

Nice to teach the kids something about Wickford and WW1 whilst getting some exercise.

Close up of the propeller on Stroud's memorial.