Great Western Park GeoCache Series
After our recently placed GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) in Didcot about the local Archaeological Sites and Treasures (cache #1-9), we decide to place a few more caches at GWP, in order to honour local heros and to reflect local history, stories and heritage. We hope you enjoy these new caches and may also learn something when you are caching, thank you!
Great Western Park #10 - Fallen Soldiers (officially known as War Memorial #2389 ~ Didcot - GWP)
Below is an online BBC news report dated 26 July 2012, with its weblink being: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-18995957
"Roads on a new housing estate in Didcot could be named after bomb disposal experts killed on active duty.
The idea to honour seven soldiers who were based at the town's Vauxhall Barracks was put forward by Didcot Town Council.
Lt Col Adam McRae said the soldiers' families were "absolutely enthused" by the idea.
The Great Western Park development will see 3,000 new homes built on the site by 2026.
Lt Col McRae said: "I think it's a great compliment from the people of Didcot.
"It shows that we have a lasting friendship with the town we're based in and the soldiers here are really happy about it.
"What's more important for me is the families of our fallen soldiers who are absolutely enthused by the whole idea and they see it as that lasting memory, the fact that their loved ones will be remembered by people walking down the road each day."
Nick Hards, chairman of the Didcot Town Council planning and development committee, said: "The Army is very much part of Didcot, it's an absolutely key factor in the whole town.
"You want something to remember them by."
So far the roads on the estate have been named after birds and trees.
The soldiers set to be honoured are Staff Sgt Chris Muir, WO2 Gary O'Donnell, Capt Dan Shepherd, Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, Capt Dan Read, Staff Sgt Brett Linley and Capt Lisa Head."
About this multi-cache:
This is our first multi-cache, and it is placed in remembrance of the brave men and women who sadly lost their lives when serving overseas.
At the published coordinates, you will see a stone monument in honour of the fallen officers and soldiers. The number of letters in the third word equals (A+1).
The above fallen soldiers sadly lost their lives when serving in two countries, the number of letters in the longer country name equals (B+2).
The number of letters in the eighth word on the monument equals (C+6).
The fallen soldiers and officers who the monument is in honour of were all from DF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) & Search Regiment, Royal (E-1) Corps, with (E-1) being the number of letters in the Royal Corps' name.
The final coordinates are a short walk away at:
N51 36.ABC W001 16.DEF
The checksum of all the digits in the final coordinates is 49.
Please also note:
Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully and properly so the cache can survive longer. Also please seal the log book bag properly so the log paper will remain dry.
Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns, stinging nettles, and overhead tree branches! Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.
You do not need to cross any fence or enter any private land.
Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!
FTF: Congratulations to wendykmj for their FTF on 14 July 2025!
***** PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT *****
CACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON ACTUAL MEMORIALS OR WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF SUCH
AT ALL TIMES PLEASE TREAT LOCATIONS OF MEMORIALS WITH RESPECT
