Page 42 - Phonebox Magazine September 2015

World War One Roll of Honour Restored
One hundred years ago, in April 1915, a Roll of Honour listing sixty-six Hanslope men who were regular soldiers or who
had already volunteered to serve in the Great War was placed in the porch of the parish church, St James the Great. In the early years of the war many towns and villages wanted to record the names of those serving King and Country before the start of conscription. Sadly, six of the men recorded were to die and so their names appear also on our War Memorial, the Soldiers’ Chapel inside the church.
One of the Hanslope World War One Commemoration Committee’s projects was to restore this striking work of art. A further 128 Hanslope men and one woman were recruited subsequently so we are planning a second Roll of Honour to remember them. Hanslope’s Roll was produced by a famous commercial design company, Carlton Studios. The lithograph picture was created by Frederick Gardner, a well known artist and book illustrator. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet we have been able to trace some of his descendants.
On 26th July they were represented by his granddaughter, Heather Hanks at the church’s Patronal Festival Service when the Roll was re-dedicated. Frederick also served in the army during the war, so this commission must have had particular resonance for him.
The Roll was restored in two stages – the first task was to clean and restore the paper, lithograph painting and fine calligraphy. A large quantity of insects was removed and the slight foxing and other damage re-touched by Penny Jenkins Paper Conservator at Cambridge. The severely worm-eaten oak frame needed major refurbishment and new glass, this was carried out by Michael Dolling an Antiques Restorer based in Norfolk. The frame was covered in quarter-sawn oak veneer and given a gold oak stain. The UV treated glass is used by museums. The inner and outer frames are now sealed in their own environment which should keep it in good condition for at least the next 100 years. We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their grant enabling this work to be undertaken.
Frederick Gardner, 1910 in his studio. (courtesy of the family)
WW1 Committee members
Autumn Quiz
Saturday 26th September
7:30pm to 10pm
We are delighted to welcome back Neil and Pat Hodges – our most popular quiz masters for another very enjoyable evening. With a fish and chip supper too, book early to avoid disappointment!
Venue: Olney Centre. Tickets available from the museum: £10 per person.
THE NEWPORT PAGNELL ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB
Live entertainment every Saturday night
New Members welcomed and encouraged!
Ousebank Street,
Newport Pagnell, Bucks. MK16 8AN
T: 01908 613 604
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