AS PART of the itinerary for the O's historic weekend trip to the Somme in July, a scheduled stop was made at Ocean Villas tea rooms for refreshments on the Sunday afternoon. Due to a breakdown in communications the establishment was overwhelmed by the number of people that turned up and as a result there was insufficient staff and supply of food and drink available.
This was a pity as the Ocean Villas tea rooms is trying to establish itself as a place of interest for people visiting the Somme battlefields. Amongst the items on display is a preserved WW1 trench, a cellAr used by British soldiers, a small museum and a 'Wall Of Remembrance'.
It was the 'Wall Of Remembrance' that particularly caught the eye and imagination of Supporters' Club Deputy Chairman Steve Jenkins. It is here that soldiers who have given their lives are commemorated and people are encouraged to have memorial plaques made and installed for a set fee - the monies raised go towards the expansion and upkeep of the WW1 items on display
Avril Williams is the owner of the tea rooms and she has since spoken with Steve about the problems encountered when the O's supporters and Royal British Legion members visited Ocean Villas. As a goodwill guesture, Steve felt it would be a good opportunity to have four memorial plaques made and installed on the 'Wall Of Remembrance' to commemorate the Clapton Orient team that served so bravely in the Great War, and in particular the sacrifice made by Richard McFadden, William Jonas and George Scott.
As well as the plaques now being in place the names of all those commemorated are listed on the Ocean Villas website.
The Address of the tea rooms is:
Ocean Villas
10 Rue Delattre
Auchonvillers
80560
Somme
France
Locations of resting places of O's heroes
Some O's supporters have enquired as to the location details of the three Clapton Orient footballers killed during the Battle of the Somme. The following information will be of assistance to those planning to make a visit to northern France:
CSM Richard McFadden MM is buried at Couin British Cemetery.
Couin is a village situated 15 kilometres to the east of Doullens. Follow the main Doullens to Arras road, the N25, and remain on this road until you reach the crossroads with the D23. Turn on to the D23 to Souastre, and then the D2 to Couin, you will see a Commonwealth War Graves Commission sign indicating you are heading in the right direction. Couin British Cemetery and Couin New British Cemetery are at the side of the road just before entering the village.
Pte William Jonas is remembered with honour at the Thiepval Memorial.
The Thiepval Memorial is to be found on the D73, next to the village of Thiepval, which is off the main Bapaume to Albert road (D929). Once a year on 1 July, a major ceremony is held at the memorial to remember the 73,000 British and South African soldiers who have no known grave that are commemorated here. There is a first class visitor centre here also where there is an impressive display of items, pictures and interactive facilities including the opportunity to use the search engines on several PC's to look to trace family members and friends lost whilst serving their country.
Pte George Scott is buried at St Souplet British Cemetery.
St Souplet is a village situated approximately 6 kilometres south of the small town of Le Cateau which in turn is about 20 kilometres south-east of Cambri. You will find St Souplet British Cemetery at the south-west edge of the village after you have passed through the village of St Benin. It is one of the prettiest war cemeteries in northern France and is also a very peaceful location.
Further information about the above, as well as other war graves and memorials including details as regards wheelchair access, can be found by visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website www.cwgc.org or by ringing the enquiries number 01628 507200
