Havant and the Two World Wars Local historian, Ann Griffiths, has written two illustrated commemorative booklets about life in wartime Havant and the men behind the names on the Rolls of Honour. A highlight of the WW1 booklet is the story of Edward Till of Waterloo Road, who was injured by a shell in France and wrote a long and emotional poem about his personal war and the effect it had on him. This is published in full, with kind permission of his granddaughter.
Ann has tracked down numerous relatives of the men on the local Rolls of Honour and there is an account by John Dewhurst of the tireless work done in Havant throughout WW2 by his parents, Dr and Mrs Dewhurst. Hazel Rollason tells of her work as a Wren driver for the 'Rendering Mines Safe' team which operated from West Leigh Cottage, and a nonagenarian tells of the run-up to D-Day, when the streets of Havant were crammed with troops. Lt Cdr John Ingram's daughter has provided material about her father, who rammed a Uboat while commanding HMS Oribi, the ship sponsored by the people of Havant.
The booklets at £5 each have been edited by Councillors Ralph Cousins and Richard Brown and are available from The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre or by contacting Ralph on 023 9248 4024. Also available is Ralph Cousins’ booklet Childhood Memories of Havant in the Second World War at £6.