Radstock Museum is currently displaying artifacts related to the King brothers of
Vobster, who lost their lives serving in WW1.
Charles King was killed in action on 16th September 1914, aged 21. Almost exactly two years later, his brother, Sergeant Thomas King, died from injuries sustained in action on 14th September 1916, aged 25.
The parents of the young men, Mr and Mrs Henry King, of Coleford, received bronze memorial plaque medallions for each of their sons inscribed with their sons’ names. The medallion, popularly known as a ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ was issued to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of war. Around the edge of the medallion are the words: ‘He died for freedom and honour.’
The King brothers died along with gamekeepers, gardeners and colliery workers from Mells and Vobster, these men included Edward, last son and heir of the Horner family and Mells estate, and his brother-in-law, Raymond Asquith, son of the World War 1 Prime Minister.
Inscribed on the Mells War Memorial are the words: We died in a strange land facing the dark cloud of war and this stone is raised to us in the home of our delight.’
Commemorating 100 years since WW1, a Heritage Lottery funded project entitled Home of our Delight is researching the stories of the men remembered and how their loss was registered and expressed at home through correspondence, diaries, memoirs and a unique collection of commissioned memorials, including an exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel, in Frome and the artifacts on display at Radstock Museum from 10th September – 22nd October. For details of the project, visit: homeofourdelight.org.uk