A circular riverside walk along paths and across meadows. Learn how the men and women of Craven Arms played their part before and during the First World War.
Newton
Before the railway created Craven Arms, this medieval hamlet grew up on the banks of the Onny. The variety of timber-frame and stone cottages are picturesque. The Victorian terrace was built by John Derby-Alcroft, wealthy glove manufacturer, who owned Stokesay Castle and built Stokesay Court.
Halford Church
Is the lych-gate of St Thomas Shropshire’s least known war memorial? Craven Arms & District History Group uncovered a touching love story; one which overcame family and class prejudice. “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of my husband William George Biggs and of the other dear lads who together with him were members of this choir and congregation.” The reference to “in loving memory of my husband.” suggests something very personal. It is the sole clue to Hilda Mary Biggs who was responsible for the memorial. Hilda Mary Baxter, born in 1876, was the daughter of the Rev Henry Fleming Baxter and vicar) of Halford and Sibdon Carwood. The family was wealthy and gentry. This young woman, from the world of Jane Austen, married a railway stoker. There was talk that ‘Her family were not too keen on the match but love won the day.’ In 1901 Hilda was 25. She helped her father with his duties. The railways were the major employer in Craven Arms. A terrace – built by the railway company for 28 families – was the main source of Halford parishioners. In No 21 Newington Terrace lived a guard, Richard Biggs, and his family.
So Hilda Baxter met William Biggs, who had followed his father, and was a stoker. The couple married in 1908 at All Saints, Ealing; her father having retired there. If they felt she was marrying beneath her, they were clearly reconciled to the match. Then came the First World War. Hilda’s faith was vindicated. The army too, thought highly of William. He was made a Regimental Sergeant Major with a railway operating company of the Royal Engineers and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (a silver medal for distinguished service or gallantry). Hilda died aged 85 in 1962, leaving £1m in today’s terms. The war memorial at Halford is an enduring monument not just to 18 men of the parish, 8 of them, like her husband, with railway connections, but to this generous and inspiring woman.
Gunner Joseph Alexander Morris
On the other side of the same path leading to the castle beyond a chest tomb are two graves close to the churchyard wall. One has a headstone to members of the Morris family. The other is a simple grave with surround but no headstone. “Uncle Alex”, as his descendants refer to him, was the local postman.
In 1914 the GPO with 250,000 staff was the largest single employer of labour in the world. By 1918 30% had been released for war services. Morris became a “big gun”, servicing monster guns which could fire on the enemy from well behind our lines.