As the 80^th anniversary of the start of the Second World War draws to a close, Emmbrook might be reminded of some of the contributions it has made in this and other conflicts.

The YALDEN family, father and son, both joined the colours: William served for 21 years and 112 days in Malta, South Africa, India, Ceylon and Gibraltar which is where his son Leonard was born. Leonard joined the South Wales Borderers and was killed in action on that infamous day, 1^st July 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal, presented to his father, posthumously, at a ceremony in the Market Place Reading. At the time the YALDEN family lived at 34 Emmbrook Road.

In the Korean War, almost exactly three years and one month in duration, Arthur John ALLUM fought in the “Glorious Glosters” stand at Imjin River. He was repatriated in September 1953 together with Edward ROSE whose father lived at 65 Rose Street.

Matched in numbers only by those from Emmbrook sacrificed in the Great War was the death toll in the Second World War. Inevitably the KNAPP family, who at one time boasted that they could field a complete cricket team for the village, was affected: losses included Corporal William C K STREET (RAF) whose mother was a KNAPP. He was captured by the Japanese 8^th March 1942 (two days before his 26^th birthday) and died of diptheria in captivity 5^th January 1943, being interred in Yokohama War Cemetery. His widow Annie (nee LAMBOURNE) lived at 36 Westcott Road, Wokingham. Also in the RAF was Flight Lieutenant George KNAPP who died in Singapore 27^th October 1945, buried in the Kranji War Cemetery.

A soldier omitted from the memorial in Wokingham Town Hall is Alfred George GROVER, his father being a chauffeur driver at Toutley Hall Bungalow. Alfred was a driver in the R.A.S.C. and died at a place called “La Justice” in Santes. On 5^th September 1944, his lorry was ambushed by the retreating Waffen SS: he hid his co-driver in a ditch while he fired at them until his ammunition was exhausted. He was captured. The next day Allied troops found him dead and the other driver injured. He was buried at the roadside and then removed to Haubourdin where there were British military graves.

On 8^th September a death certificate was drawn up by the Mayor and signed by him and Germaine HAUSSY a 44 year old nurse. In 1951 his grave was transferred to Lille Southern Cemetery with the date 7^th September. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission). Much of this information was kindly supplied by Dominique FACON who is responsible for the local history association Amis de Patrimoine Santois.