Stitches in time

In the eighth of a series of articles charting the Christ Church kneelers project, Susan Allison presents two Remembrance-themed examples which have powerful stories to tell

This community project got underway at the Wanstead Festival in September 2024, when stitching began on the first kneeler. Over the following 12 months, another 40-plus kneelers were stitched by numerous members of the community, celebrating the diversity of people and experiences in our village.

Every kneeler (or hassock) tells a story. Working with a uniform deep-blue background, kneelers were either purchased directly from stock, modified or uniquely designed to mark a person, business or organisation in Wanstead. Some people chose to purchase and work on their own kneeler, some sponsored a kneeler for someone else to work on and some were purchased through a generous bequest from John Sunley, a former member of Christ Church’s congregation.

The kneelers were presented to the church in October 2025, along with a guidebook that is available to purchase (£5; in aid of the church tower restoration fund). A digital guide is also being developed. Plus, a complete multi-media archive is being compiled for future researchers to learn more about this snapshot of Wanstead life, and the whole project and archive will be encapsulated in a limited edition publication (watch this space). A very big thank you to everyone who made this wonderful project possible.

Poppy

Dedicated to: Ann Cheetham. Sewn by: Elizabeth Leonard.

My father flew Sopwith Camels in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War. He was shot down over France. After leaving hospital, he started training cadets and continued this through to the end of World War Two, running a course in Walthamstow. When my elder brother, Jeffrey, was only 14, he went to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth to train as an officer. I was three and he was a cadet when World War Two broke out and he was sent to the Far East. After the war, I offered to sell poppies. With three small children and a large Silver Cross pram, I took my collecting tin all over Wanstead and Woodford. Following a fall, I left Wanstead and moved to a nursing home near my family. However, the Rector of Wanstead told the home of my dismay at not being able to continue to sell poppies in what would be the 50th year of my involvement in the Appeal. Hearing this, a member of staff and his wife took me to lay a wreath during the local Remembrance Sunday memorial service.

Remembrance

Dedicated to: Those who served. Sewn by: Jan Watson.

In honour of our family members and everyone that gave service for our country.

Our great-grandfather, Henry Albert Caney (30 September 1887 – 1 April 1966). Henry served in the Royal Navy from 24 May 1916. Whilst on HMS Erebus, he was part of the famous Zeebrugge Raid on 22–23 April 1918.

Our grandfather, Albert William Watson (21 February 1922 – 24 September 2004). Albert served in the army from 11 September 1941 and fought in Caen, France at the Battle for Hill 112, one of the bloodiest battles of World War Two. During July 1944, he received a serious facial wound, having been shot through the jaw by an enemy sniper whilst on a reconnaissance mission.