Royal Garrison Church, Aldershot

In January 1854 some 25,000 acres of Aldershot Heath were purchased with the view to setting up a permanent military camp in the area. The outbreak of the Crimean War later in the same year led to a military mobilisation and in 1855 12,000 huts were constructed in the Aldershot area to house the 20,000 militia who had been called up. It was soon apparent that the size of camp that Aldershot had become by this time would need a church, so a small iron building was commissioned; this was the only church in the camp at Aldershot from 1855 until 1863 and was on the site now occupied by the Garrison Church of St Andrew on Queens Avenue. When Parliament decided to make Aldershot a permanent Camp…

Located in the south porch is a large cross, about nine feet high and made of dark wood. The inscription on the cross reads: "In memory of the Officers, SNCO's and Men of 1st Division killed in action near High Wood during September 1916 - RIP". On the outbreak of the First World War, the 1st Division was based in Aldershot but within weeks was in action at the Battle of Mons. In July 1916 the 1st Division was in action during the Battle of the Somme at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14-17 July) and then at the Battle of Pozières (23-26 July) where they attacked the German second line of defence. The 1st Division went into action at High Wood in September 1916 and over the next few days saw…