New homes in Coventry honour local soldiers
A new street at Taylor Wimpey’s The Chesterfields development of new homes for sale in Coventry has been named in tribute to a city regiment which served during World War II.
The bravery and heroism of World War II soldiers has been commemorated by the unveiling of a new street at Taylor Wimpey’s The Chesterfields development of houses for sale in Coventry.
Yeomanry Walk was officially opened in honour of the Warwickshire Yeomanry by war veteran Harold Hancox and Lord Mayor Keiron Mulhall on Friday 14th October, at the development of new build homes in Coventry which is part of Taylor Wimpey’s regeneration of the former Peugeot plant.
The act of remembrance was inspired by 90-year-old Harold, known to his friends as Hank, who fought with the Warwickshire regiment during World War II and contacted Taylor Wimpey about organising the event.
Andrew Bache, Taylor Wimpey project manager at The Chesterfields, says: “The Chesterfields site is steeped in military heritage – the former Peugeot plant produced Spitfire parts during the war – so it felt right that the development’s street names recognise this past.
“We were delighted when Harold got in touch about organising this tribute and we feel honoured that he was able to join us with his comrades last Friday.
“And with the current war still being fought in Afghanistan, the ceremony was a good opportunity for us to pay tribute to all our servicemen and women throughout the years and across the world.”
Coventry has a proud association with the World War II military effort, while the Warwickshire Yeomanry fought with distinction in France, then in the Middle East, at El Alamein in Egypt in 1942, and finally in Italy as the war drew to a close.
Harold fought with the Warwickshire Yeomanry and returned to his home city of Coventry after the war, working for many years at the former Peugeot factory.
“I’m 90 years of age and I’m one of the last surviving members of the regiment who served during World War II,” said Harold. “It means a great deal to me that the Warwickshire Yeomanry is being honoured in this way, as I’m sure it will to the families of those who served with the regiment and who are no longer here today.”
Harold was joined for the naming ceremony by members of the Queen’s Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry (QOWWY) Comrades Association. The QOWWY was formed after the war through the amalgamation of the Warwickshire Yeomanry and the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars.
After unveiling the new road with Harold, the Lord Mayor paid tribute to the valuable contribution made by local servicemen and woman.
“It’s really important that Coventry remembers these people,” said Cllr Mulhall. “They have done so much for the city and it’s only right that they are honoured appropriately.”
The former Peugeot plant, owned by Rootes during the wartime period, was a ‘shadow factory’, with the largely female workforce producing manifolds for Spitfires and tanks.
The Rootes factory was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe and 60 air raid shelters were found on site during the demolition work for the new homes development, as well as a major underground headquarters with its own power source, first aid supplies and food.
Set on the site of the former Rootes and Peugeot plants, The Chesterfields is part of the pioneering £200 million scheme to build 1400 new homes in an emerging area of Coventry known as New Stoke Village.
A final selection of three and four-bedroom properties is available to purchase at the development, with prices starting at just £179,995.
Further information is available by visiting taylorwimpey.co.uk.
