On Sunday 2nd June, members of the Redline Home Guard carried out the Tom Jewitt Memorial Walk in remembrance of local man Tom Jewitt, a member of the newly formed LDV who was killed whilst on duty 84 years ago on that day in 1940. The walk followed the route Tom may well have taken from his home to where he was patrolling.
Starting at the village of South Stoke the group followed the River Thames back to Crowmarsh where he lived. The many pillboxes of Stop Line Red along the route were visited and our respects were paid at each village church that contained war graves or memorials to the fallen. Under the Moulsford railway viaduct where the accident occurred, the group paused in reflection and 2/Lt Paul Chambers read Tom’s story out. The walk ended at Tom’s grave in St Mary’s Church, Newnham Murren where we observed a minute’s silence in memory of him and all members of the Home Guard who died on duty.
Lest we forget.
It was discovered that the graveyard had been recently trimmed with some trees cut back but Tom’s grave is at the edge of the churchyard and had become a bit overgrown, so a work party was organised to sort that out. A few days later three of us visited the churchyard, smartened Tom’s grave, and tidied the adjacent grave of Bill and Edith, his best friends who he lodged with in Crowmarsh. One further grave that has a memorial to 3 family members who died in service, was also tidied and weeded.
To read Tom’s story visit:
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