7OaksWW1

Award winning community project researching the lives of the people of Sevenoaks. Tweets by Matt Ball

[Revd Nicholas Pye @RevdPye]

16 July 1917, Rev Basil Plumptre, Chaplain London Regt (1st Surrey Rifles), killed by shell, aged 34. Buried La Clytte Military Cem. Educated @slcMain, @EmmaCambridge & @ridleyhall (Theology). Curate @StMaryMagSE1. Headstone: 'With Christ which is far better'. @ArmyChaplainMus

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Pleased to find this photo of an ambulance belonging to VAD 76, Cornwall Hall in Sevenoaks #WW1

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Over three hundred people have voted in the Sevenoaks History Hub’s online poll to preserve the historic name of The Royal Oak. Please do take a moment to add you me voice, whether you prefer the current name or Hanover House https://t.co/cNwJL96x5N

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Frank Robinson was landlord and a local Councillor for many years. Both his son, also Frank, and nephew, Herbert Lethebe were killed in the Great War.

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Current proposals to rename The Royal Oak in Sevenoaks as Flats 1-6 Hanover House seem unnecessary and uninspired. What’s wrong with Royal Oak House or something similar that keeps the historical name @SDC_newsdesk ?

[Sevenoaks Bookshop @7OaksBookshop]

The latest addition to our Local History section: Mike Bolton's "William Sevenoke and His Almshouses". Order here for collection or posting to a UK address: https://t.co/yruBIAQ3AJ

[Sarah Nathaniel @SNathaniel24]

This month has been really busy for @cwgc Public Engagement team. Snapshot of my month: RE Museum, BHM school event at Seaford, inclusive learning at Lewes College, talking about heritage careers at Kent University, school workshops + talks. And it's not even November yet!!

[Pat Marsh @patmarsh]

If you have connections to #Sevenoaks, #Riverhead or #Seal can I recommend this brilliant new book by @mattjball_

It features a fascinating collection of memories from the Victorian age onwards.

Meet Matthew at a special book signing - 1.30pm on Sunday 13th Oct @7OaksBookshop

[Matthew Ball @mattjball_]

Great to launch my new book earlier this week, and I’ll be signing next weekend at Sevenoaks Bookshop on Sunday 13 from 13.30-15.30 #Sevenoaks #Kent @7oaksEvents @SevenoaksTC

[Sarah Nathaniel @SNathaniel24]

We're at the @REMuseum today talking all things @cwgc. Pop down if you are in the area. Lots of exhibitors and free talks.

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

The book is a culmination of several years work, and includes a chapter on the town at war, and many previously unseen images.

More book updates and news shortly!

https://t.co/bZBb6n5mIV

#Sevenoaks #localhistory #Kent

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Excited to say that my new book, Sevenoaks, Riverhead and Seal in Old Photos and Postcards, will be out on 3 October and available from Sevenoaks Bookshop, from me direct (email [email protected]) and other places in town. You can pre order https://t.co/7PzRdgXTBD

[Sarah Nathaniel @SNathaniel24]

Brilliant tour of @cwgc Sevenoaks Greatness Cemetery for our lovely South East volunteers by @7OaksWW1, followed by the obligatory tea, cake and chat. What more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon?

[Royal West Kents WW1 @rwkww1]

I’m in danger of turning this into a church visiting account. It’s becoming another hobby, but in the churches of Kent there’s always a purpose: war memorials, a roll of honour, and in some cases, a war grave. Yesterday I went to Hollingbourne, a little further on from Maidstone

[Royal West Kents WW1 @rwkww1]

Lovely visit to the church of St Peter & St Paul at Charing in Kent today. An impressive roof, and fine memorials inside, including a roll of honour and a memorial board from the Great War, and a tablet commemorating men of the Tank Regiment from the second.

[Royal West Kents WW1 @rwkww1]

Any WW2 researchers follow me? I’ve had the enquiry below but not my specialism and have offered to help connect them with someone who can: I know that he was involved in North Africa through to occupation in Germany, we believe in Artillery & perhaps Medical, & he was at Arnhem

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

@dizzernp It’s difficult to pick out any detail tbh. I’m going to have a look for any newspaper reports. This other pic gives some pointers for the grave so I need to go and have a look.

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Snapped up these postcards of what looks to be two different events at nearby Seal. First a military funeral, and later the unveiling of the war memorial. Needs some more research but an interesting glimpse of the Great War in the village.

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

And then we remembered the men of Sevenoaks who had given their lives for England. We were all silent for a few minutes, and then we said " Our Father" under the open sky. And once again we sang "God save the King.”

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

Really pleased to have acquired this postcard showing crowds gathered in the Market Place on hearing news of the Armistice.

The Rector later wrote an account of the war for children and recalled the scene:

[7OaksWW1 @7OaksWW1]

to the harmonium. The clergy stood in a cart. I wish you could all have seen the sight from that cart, for it was the most splendid sight I ever saw in Sevenoaks
We sang our hymns and gave God thanks for the victory; and I tried to tell the people what it meant for us.