1910-1920

THE DECADE STARTED WITH SO MUCH PROMISE WITH CORONATION OF GEORGE V

This is 86 High St with Henry Haven Wheeler standing in front of his shop decorated to celebrate the Coronation of George V June 22nd 1911.

COWES HIGH ST DECORATED FOR LORD KITCHENER'S RECRUITMENT DRIVE

The famous poster showing Lord Kitchener say “Your Country needs You” was backed up with local recruitment drives.

ROYAL NAVY RESERVE MEN LEAVING COWES 1914

There was an initial enthusiastic response to call up. The true horrors of what the next four years held was yet to come. Many of those waving good bye would not return.

RED CROSS FLAG DAY 1915

There was a true community spirit as those at home helped the war effort.

WOMEN BECAME VITAL TO THE WAR EFFORT

With so many men away at war women became vital in keeping production going. They proved equal to the task but were expected to go back to being housewives when peace came.

EVA DUNFORD CRANE DRIVER

Eva Dunford one of the many local women joining J S White’s as part of the war effort was recorded as the first crane driver in England. Just one of the many that showed that they could do “men’s work”.

PEACE AT LAST!

This musical festival help in J S White’s massive aircraft production building was just one of the many ways peace was celebrated.

THIS SPLIT PICTURE SHOWS THE HUGE AUDIENCE AND CHOIR

This gives some idea just how huge an event this was.

A SIMPLER WAY TO CELEBRATE, SOME WONDERFUL CHARACTORS AT CLIFF FARM GURNARD

THE WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED 1921

Unveiled by Maj-Gen J E B Seely, CB, CMG, DSO, JP, MP., and dedicated by the Vicar of Holy Trinity, on Wednesday 30th March 1921. It was designed by Mr Andrew Forster MBE, and built by Messrs J Ball and Son. Partially destroyed during night 4th/5th May 1942, and later moved in its broken state to Northwood Park.

WAR MEMORIAL ERECTED AT THE BOTTOM OF MARKET HILL

Another view of this tribute to those locals who gave their lives in the Great War.