Guarlford History Group

Lest we forget

A memorial board commemorating the men of Guarlford who fell in two World Wars was dedicated at the back of St Mary's church, in 2008 by Revd Sue Irwin.

The board was largely due to the efforts of Charlie Williams who launched a fund raising drive by both giving a talk in the Village Hall about 'the old days' and starting the fund.

Before that, a small faded type-written list on the wall near the organ was the only record of those who went to the Great War.

It is thought the list was of people the congregation had been asked to pray for, as many of these men returned safely while others died who were not on the list.

Above the list is a picture of a soldier in front of the Union Jack flag.

The two small pictures bear the Latin inscription "Libera nos, domine" ("Deliver us, O Lord").

Also listed is Olaf Petersen. Olave Charles (Olaf) Petersen was born in Cardiff about 1893. He came to Malvern as a small boy, after his father Karl, a Danish seaman died, to live with his Aunt Eliza Taylor nee Davies and her husband John Taylor, a carter. They lived at The Old Elm Cottages at the junction of the Guarlford Road and Hall Green.

Olaf worked for Mr Bullock of Mill Farm and joined the King's Shropshire Light Infantry at the outbreak of World War I.

Private Petersen was attached to Headquarters as a Company Runner and was killed by a shell on the morning of 5th September 1917.

His death is recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website as,

O C Peterson

Private 12102

5th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Died: 5 Sep 1917

Buried: Belgium

Unfortunately the CWGC did not know either Olaf's age or who his parents were. In addition, sadly, no information about Olaf's links with the parish was forthcoming when the Guarlford History Group were making enquiries about War casualties to be commemorated on the new memorial board.