137 Tomoana Memorial Oaks Hastings, street scene of the oaks 2017
Reason for the name
These Memorial Oaks in Tomoana Hastings are a memorial to members of the Freezing Works who served overseas during World War Two. The trees were planted in 1944.
This story has yet to be written in full but the trees are registered as a poppy place to ensure the names of the fallen are eventually recorded. The Tomoana Freezing Works decided to plant a tree in memory of each servicemen lost in the war who worked in the Freezing Works. A statement from a press article about the trees stated: "These men went away and fought for the freedom we now enjoy and paid for it with their lives. We will remember them"
Charles Houston and the family of William Earl Houston, one of the fallen is honoured by this memorial.
Another press statement read thus: Recently two stories have appeared regarding the memorial oak trees planted at the former Tomoana meat works to honour the men from the meat works lost in the war. To the Houston family's knowledge this is the only living memorial as opposed to stone epitaphs. "According to my Collins English dictionary, it reads, memorial: Serving to preserve the memory of the dead or a past event. These oak trees represent a memorial on both counts." Perhaps it is time, as more names have been located, to look at some form of plaque to be erected before any drastic actions are taken to remove this memorial. Both stories are unclear as to the identity of the person(s) or company contemplating the oaks removal and these servicemen have a living brother, sisters, nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces who are very concerned about the current events. The memorial maybe only a small number of gallant men's memory but a very precious one to their families.
A Poppy Places Trust sign next to the trees, registering and identifying them as a memorial to our overseas service will certainly highlight the need to preserve the trees.
Author: The Poppy Places Trust
When all the servicemen associated with this memorial have been identified they will be included as part of this poppy place. Their memory will therefore be preserved.
