Lives of the First World War

The Roll of Honour, which hangs in St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden and lists 119 names of those from Little Gaddesden, Ringshall and Hudnall who served in the 1914 – 1918 War. Men who have answered their country’s call in defence of a “Scrap of Paper”.

Stephen & Frances are buried in the old churchyard of St Peter & St Paul's, Little Gaddesden. The headstone inscription reads "In loving memory of Stephen James Oakins 20th Feb 1880 - 12th Oct 1957, also of Frances Oakins 13th Nov 1882 - 1st Nov 1973. Reunited.

Stephen, seated and in uniform, with, left to right, his sister Emmie Caroline, brother Sam and sister Eliza (Nance). He joined up in 1915 and this photo was possibly taken that year.

A photo of Steve in his Highland Light Infantry uniform. He served with the HLI 9th May 1917 to 10th February 1918.

A photo of Steve's wife Frances with their two elder children Rose, born in 1913 and John, born in 1910. The photo is not dated but was probably taken in 1917 or 1918.

A photo of the Oakins Family outside their house, 11 Little Gaddesden. Front row seated Steve (left) and Frances (right); behind them standing, their adult children Rose (left), Stephen (centre) and John (right).

An Oakins family group at the marriage of Steve's sister Ruth to George Scudder, 6th August 1906. Back row left to right – Steve, Ethel (sister-in-law), married to Sam (brother), George Scudder (brother-in-law) just married to Ruth (sister), George Dunn (brother-in-law) married to Eliza (sister, always called Nance), Simmy Whitman (uncle, brother of Steve's mother). On the front row left to right are: John Thomas (father), Edith Lilian (sister - Lil), Bob the dog, Emmie Caroline (sister - Car) and Emma (mother, nee Whitman).

A wedding group photo taken 12th October 1910 at the marriage of Steve's brother Sam to Ethel Emily Lee. Identified in the photo are: Back row standing 2nd from left Frances (Steve's wife), 3rd from left Steve. Sitting 3rd from left Caroline (sister), 4th Edith Lilian (sister). Centre Sam (brother) just married to Ethel (sister-in-law). Front row baby - Steve's son John James Oakins aged 6 months.

A photo of Steve's older son John Oakins and daughter Rose, taken outside Little Gaddesden School, probably in about 1919.

A photo of Steve's son Stephen - possibly a school photo - taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

The Certificate of Efficiency confirming that Private Stephen Oakins 2785, was duly enrolled in the muster roll of C Company, 2nd (Herts) Volunteer Battalion, Bedford Corps on the 17th April 1901 and that he is a member of the corps on this date. And, that he has fulfilled the requirements and possesses the qualifications stated in the form of certificate applicable in his case, under the Order in Council (see Volunteer Regulations) for the 35/- grant as an efficient Volunteer. Dated 1st November 1901

A typed letter of thanks issued to members of the Salonika Force, signed by Major General Hall, conveying the thanks of the Commander in Chief for their service and noting "Although conditions in Macedonia have been particularly hard on account of the severity of the climate, the prevalence of malaria and the difficulty of arranging for regular leave, you have the satisfaction of knowing that the Force in which you served was the one which, by its victory over Bulgaria, struck the blow which first began the break-up of the enemy nations allied against us." The letter is undated but would refer to Stephen's service in late 1918 and early 1919.

An account of the funeral of Stephen Oakins, who died 12th October 1957 and whose funeral took place at St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden on 16th October 1957, published in the "Gazette" in the week of 21st October 1957, together with a tribute from the Revd. R C Paterson, Rector.

Steve's brother Sam Oakins in uniform. The photo was taken between 1914 and 1917, the information on it gives his Labour Corps service number, but the dates of his service in different units are unknown. Sam’s date of birth, 2nd October 1883, was included in the information supplied with this image

A 1903 photo of the Little Gaddesden Brass Band, taken outside the School. The band members are: Back Row L to R: Stanley Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Frederick Cutler, F Pocock, John Wibden, Edward Hing, Edward Pinnock. Middle Row L to R: George Jay, W Warner, Arthur Johnson, Samuel G Oakins, Bertram Horn, Harry Wells, Walter Holland, Herbert Fenn, T Scott. Front Row L to R: Stephen J Oakins, James Windmill, CH Ward (Bandmaster), William Johnson, Sidney Rogers, Edward Whitman. Underneath big drum: Hubert Halsey. Absent: H Davies, J Waller, H Griffin, William Fenn, William Boarder, Matthew Munden, George Rogers, J Wrangles

Early Twentieth Century photo of the cottages numbered 5 to 13 Little Gaddesden. No 5, end on to the road, is shown middle left of the photo furthest from the camera; 6&7 are centre of the photo. The 3 pairs of semi-detached cottages are 8&9, nearest centre of photo, 10&11, with tree growing to roof height and 12&13, right of photo and nearest the camera. These cottages are still clearly recognisable today. The photo was included in 'A Century Remembered' and is included here with permission of the editor.

The 2018 Revised Roll of Honour, which now hangs in St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Little Gaddesden in addition to the earlier Roll. Stephen Oakins’ service details have been updated.