Aston Somerville

History

The name Aston derives from the Old English ēasttūn meaning 'east settlement'. The affix Somerville derives from the Somerville family, who held land in the village in the 13th century.

Historically, the Aston Somerville Village has consisted of three individual farms (originally known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Farms), albeit they have usually been farmed as one estate (most notably attributed to the Crowther Family in the 19th century).

St Mary's Church is a grade I listed building dating from the 13th century.

War memorials

The following names appear on the Village's war memorial in St. Mary's Church:

• Percy Baverstock
• Earnest Stock Dale
• Gerald Haines - who is also commemorated on the Broadway War Memorial
• George Frederick Hoddinot - "Fell at Damery" (also recorded on a tombstone)
• James Pay
• Alfred Perkins
• Leonard Pitman

Recorded on another gravestone in the Churchyard is another World War I casualty:

• Henry West KRR "Missing at Langemarch" The sole World War II casualty recorded is:
• Geoffrey Norman Wilson (son of Lt Col D.D. Wilson)

Marriage records

As of July 2012, information on marriages in Aston Somerville that occurred between 1700 and 1812 is available on the internet.

1994 Harrier crash

On 14 January 1994, Harrier ZD349 crashed, which killed the American pilot, from RAF Wittering, Captain Brenden Hearney (26 March 1964 - 1994), aged 29. He may have stayed in his aircraft, to avoid hitting a school, and did not eject. The wreckage was over two or three fields. His father was General Richard D. Hearney. Brenden had studied Engineering at the University of Southern California, where he was part of the Skull and Dagger (honor society).

References

References

1. Google. (2012). "Aston Somerville, Worcestershire Cherry WR12. United Kingdom". Google Maps.
2. "Aston Somerville". The Institute for Name-Studies.
3. "Church of St Mary, Aston Somerville". British Listed Buildings.
4. Mark Hitchin. "Ernest Stock Dale". Unknown.
5. Broadway Remembers. link
6. Mark Hitchin. "George Frederick Hoddinot - Son of the Late J. P. Hoddinot". Unknown.
7. There are two places in France called Damery{{snd[[Damery, Marne]] and [[Damery, Somme]]. Both are in the World War I area of combat, and it is unclear which one is meant. It may be noted, however, that Damery, Marne was awarded the [[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France). Croix de guerre 1914–1918]].
8. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. "Casualty details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
9. Mark Hitchin. "StonesandMonuments -- imgp7903.jpg". Unknown.
10. Mark Hitchin. "Aston Somerville". Unknown.
11. ''Birmingham Daily Post'' Friday 21 October 1994, page 3
12. [https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55521 January 1994 Harrier crash]