Introduction to Evington and the First World War Project

Introduction

Today, thousands of cars and lorries pass through Evington every day, often without a second thought. Yet beneath the modern suburb lies a fascinating history stretching back many centuries.

Archaeological evidence suggests that parts of Evington may once have been used as a Roman burial ground. Gartree Road follows the line of the ancient Roman Fosse Way, and Roman villas have been discovered in the surrounding area. Later, Evington developed as an Anglo-Saxon village. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, a substantial Norman church was built, probably on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon church. Nearby stood a manor house protected by a large moat, reflecting the importance of the settlement during the medieval period.

Fast forward to the years of the First World War, from 1914 to 1918, and Evington again became connected to events of national significance. At that time, the village centred on Main Street and the large private residence now known as Evington Park House, then often referred to as Knighton House. During the war, the house was converted into a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) hospital, providing care for wounded servicemen. The surrounding landscape was very different from today, with Evington Park yet to be created.

This series explores Evington’s contribution to the Great War and the stories of the people connected with it. The topics covered are:

• • Soldiers commemorated on the Evington War Memorial 
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sd
  • Restoring the Evington War Memorial in 2014 (The Centenary Year)
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sQ
  • Schools in Evington and the 2014 Centenary
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sr
  • Missing Heartbeats – a poem by Aikifar Aboobaker
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5t3
  • Evington Park House – A Brief History
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sC
  • Evington’s  VAD Hospital (Voluntary Aid Detachment)
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sC
  • Quartermaster Miss Gwendolen Whittingham
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5sH
  • Commonwealth Sacrifice in the First World War – The Wider Story
  • https://wp.me/pfIVkU-5t8

Together, these articles help preserve the memory of those who served, those who cared for the wounded, and the community that experienced the challenges, sacrifices and lasting impact of the First World War.