The Old Road Story

22 Dec 2024

Some fascinating stories have been uncovered at the Priest's House Museum about what Wimborne was like during the First World War. The Wimborne Minster Parish Magazines of the time have been particularly rich in material. Canon Fletcher, who was the minister throughout the war, writes some stirring letters to his parishioners urging them to observe a more moral way of life. Each month he highlights the sacrifices made by the families of Wimborne, particularly the residents of Old Road, such as the Loder family who sent six sons to the War.  In 1917 he records "There are few districts in the kingdom which have supplied so large a number of volunteers as the Old Road, in Wimborne, has done;  seven inhabitants, from a road which contains only 24 cottages, have given their lives for King and country."  As the war continued more sons of Old Road were lost.