SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL Newsletter. November The Royal British Legion. In this Edition

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The Royal British Legion SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

County Secretary *** Timsbury, Frome and Williton

*** Double Hills Anniversary *** County Cricket Club

morning, We will remember them There are 6

: July : September : November The deadline for

1 The Royal British Legion SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL Newsletter November 2014 In this Edition Our New County Secretary *** Timsbury, Frome and Williton all Commemorate WW1 *** Nether Stowey Presentations *** Double Hills Anniversary *** County Cricket Club Remembers At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them There are 6 Newsletter issues every year: January : March : May : July : September : November The deadline for articles for the January issue is 22nd December - see back page for details

Introducing the new Somerset & Bristol County Secretary, Kate Hurley Kate took over as the County Secretary in August and has written to tell us a little about herself and her background.

2 Introducing the new Somerset & Bristol County Secretary, Kate Hurley Kate took over as the County Secretary in August and has written to tell us a little about herself and her background. I have had a varied background. I studied History at Goldsmiths College, London, specialising in military history. I then spent 8 years as a civil servant with the Ministry of Agriculture in Exeter and London, before training as a teacher. For the last 10 years I have taught Basic Skills (Literacy and Numeracy) to ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed in Sheffield. I have not been in the military myself, but I am the daughter of a Second World War veteran. My father Lawrence was in the Royal Artillery, and manned anti-aircraft guns throughout the war. I have been a member of the Royal British Legion for many years, and always wanted to work for them. I am keen to help the County and to bring branches and members back to the County, who feel that they have been excluded or sidelined. Please do contact me if you need my help. Thank you for all your good wishes, messages of support and for all your help. It was lovely to meet so many of you at the Poppy Appeal Launch and I hope to meet more of you in the future. From the Curry Mallet war memorial While the light lasts we will remember and in the darkness we shall not forget. Kate Hurley County Secretary Kate can be contacted at County Office in Dunkirk Memorial House KHurley@britishlegion.org.uk Tel: Mobile:

TIMSBURY WW1 COMMEMORATION DAY On 28 th September 2014 Timsbury Parish Council, in conjunction with Timsbury Branch RBL, held a Commemoration Day to mark the centenary of the beginning of the First

3 TIMSBURY WW1 COMMEMORATION DAY On 28 th September 2014 Timsbury Parish Council, in conjunction with Timsbury Branch RBL, held a Commemoration Day to mark the centenary of the beginning of the First World War. A poignant service was held in the Parish Church, made particularly relevant by the inclusion of stories relating to those from the parish who lost their lives in the conflict. This was followed by a parade of villagers, including children, from the Church to the village hall. The parade was led by the Branch Standard and the Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band. The RBL had decorated the village hall in keeping with the period. Further entertainment was provided by the Silver Band while a two-course, hot lunch was served by members of Timsbury Womens Institute. In attendance were the Chairs of Somerset County RBL, Timsbury Branch RBL, Bath & NE Somerset Council and Timsbury Parish Council. A total of 240 was raised from the Church collection and the sale of RBL memorabilia, which has been donated to the Poppy Appeal. The whole event has done much to raise the profile of the RBL within the village. Barry Sewell RBL Timsbury 3

4 FROME COMMEMORATES WW1 CENTENARY Lest We Forget. Frome came together over the 3 rd and 4 th August to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of WW1. Crowds turned out to mark the Service of Dedication to a local WW1 soldier on Sunday. The church of St John the Baptist was full for the Service of Reflection on the night that war was declared one hundred years ago, and a quiet throng of some 200, stood with candles for an hour, as the Town Crier declared at 10pm, the nationally observed Lights Out One Million Candles to Remember at the Memorial Theatre Garden. Frome s special tribute was paid, to Charlie Robbins, a local man, who worked at J.W. Singers, who went off to war, who returned, and who has become immortalised by the statue cast of him in 1922, in uniform. This lone figure, that had stood at Singers, then Tyco on the Marston Trading Estate, was central to the commemorations. With collaborations between Tyco, the Frome Town Council and the Frome Memorial Theatre, the statue now stands outside the Memorial Theatre. The Dedication Service was led by Fr Neil Maxted, Hon President of the Frome Branch Royal British Legion. He spoke movingly of the essence of conflict, of sacrifice and the importance never to forget. Sarah Jane Bungay of BBC Points West opened the service with Philip Larkin s poem Other poems were read: In Flanders Fields, read by Jonathan Cheal, local historian, We shall keep the faith, read by Frome Branch RBL Chairman Jane Norris, and, as poignantly, poems penned by children of Christ Church First School, read by Head Teacher, Sarah Bullmore. All ages were represented, all emotions expressed in the addresses from the representatives of Tyco (Stephen Francis), Frome Town Council (Nick White) and the Frome Memorial Theatre (Humphrey Barnes). And calling the minutes silence with the Last Post was ten year old Harriet Cooper from the Frome Town Youth Band. Standards of the RBL, RNA, RAFA and the ATC and Sea Cadets were borne again at the Service of Reflection at St Johns Church the following evening. Rev Colin Aslbury led a quiet but powerful service with sound archive from 1914, images of the innocents going off to war and poems and hymns to capture the theme of looming uncertainty. The shrouded War Memorial Plaque in St John s Church, with the names of the fallen from Frome alone, was unveiled during the reading of 'The Fallen' by 4

5 Laurance Binyon, on the verse of exhortation...they shall grow not old... Candles were lit during the service, then, to conclude in silence, each of the service standards was marched out, in spaced time, as if into the unknown. The theme of light and silence was continued between 10pm and 11pm that same evening, Monday, the 4 th August, when over 200 people gathered at The Memorial Theatre Garden for the Lights Out candle lit vigil. The soldier, known to Frome as Charlie Robbins, was unexpectedly illuminated in the darkness; an innocent man, a man of Frome who went off to war and came back. For all those then, and now, Lest We Forget. Jane Norris Chairman, Frome Branch 5

NETHER STOWEY BRANCH PRESENTATIONS Over 60 people attended the A.G.M. of the Nether Stowey branch at the Village Hall on 27 th September.

Even Jack didn't know, which is unusual in a small village where everyone usually knows everything about everybody!

Jack was quite moved by this event and responded with an equally moving speech. He was supported by wife Julia and all five daughters.

6 NETHER STOWEY BRANCH PRESENTATIONS Over 60 people attended the A.G.M. of the Nether Stowey branch at the Village Hall on 27 th September. Was this because of the splendid hot meal provided by Nether Stowey School Meals Service or was it because they knew of the presentation of a Gold Medal to Jack McWilliam? Even Jack didn't know, which is unusual in a small village where everyone usually knows everything about everybody! The Somerset County Chairman and Vice-Chairman were also present along with County President Brig. David Godsal MBE who presented this rare honour to Jack for his long service to the branch. Jack was quite moved by this event and responded with an equally moving speech. He was supported by wife Julia and all five daughters. Chairman Vicki Fielder summed up the year s activities of this branch and congratulated everyone on being one of the few branches which was growing in numbers. This year had been the 100 th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and next year would see the 70 th anniversary of VE day and VJ day. Vicki said whatever shape those commemorations might take, well done Nether Stowey and District RBL in job well done!. Chairman s Certificates were presented Mrs. Phyllis Hill and Mrs. Ruth Cook in recognition of their service to the Branch. Vicki Fielder Chairman - Nether Stowey Branch Brig. David Godsal presents the awards to Jack McWilliam, Phyllis Hill and Ruth Cook 6

DOUBLE HILLS ANNIVERSARY November 2014 Weston's Cadets pay tribute to the first casualties of 'Operation Market Garden' On a balmy afternoon, Sunday 14 th September, and marking the 70 th Anniversary

7 DOUBLE HILLS ANNIVERSARY November 2014 Weston's Cadets pay tribute to the first casualties of 'Operation Market Garden' On a balmy afternoon, Sunday 14 th September, and marking the 70 th Anniversary of the Arnhem Campaign, Army Cadets from Worle Platoon, supported by Buglers from Uphill Platoon led a Service of Remembrance for the 23 who died when Horsa Glider RJ113 crashed at Double Hills near Paulton on route for Arnhem. These soldiers, 21 Sappers and 2 Glider Pilots, became the first casualties of Operation Market Garden and are buried in the War Graves section of Milton Road Cemetery, Weston super Mare. This was the second year that the cadets had held the Service - it had previously been held for many years, supported by the Weston Branch of the Parachute Regiment, but ceased when the Branch was forced to close. The Service was led by Capt (Rev) S. Boyd, Battalion Padre to the Somerset Cadet Battalion ACF. Following a brief service, wreaths were laid by David Yeo, on behalf of the Bristol Branch of the Royal Engineers Association, Mjr B. Angus, Company Commander, Normandy Company, Somerset ACF, on behalf of the Glider Pilot's Regiment, in which Regiment he had previously served, Commander T. Wong of the Royal Malaysian Naval Reserve, and Mr Roger Duddridge County Chairman on behalf of the Royal British Legion. Continued on next page 7

8 After the Service, and led by the County Standard, the National Standard of the Airborne Forces Association, Bristol Branch of the Royal Engineers Association, and Branch Standards from Hutton, Pawlett, and Clevedon, the Cadets and Guests marched to the graves of the casualties. Here, as the Padre read the names of the casualties, army cadets from Worle Platoon marched forward to place a 'Cross of Remembrance' at each headstone. This completed, the County Chairman gave the Exhortation; 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' were sounded by the Buglers of Uphill Platoon ACF and, as the last notes of Reville faded, the County Chairman gave the Kohima Epitaph. After a final prayer and Blessing from the Padre, the parade was dismissed.. It is sobering to note that the youngest of the casualties, Sapper Joseph Beale, at 18 years of age, was younger than one of the Buglers on Parade! John Headford COUNTY CRICKET CLUB SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE On Sunday 10 th August 2014, before the start of the one day match against Sussex County Cricket Club, Somerset Cricket Club invited members of the Royal British Legion and their Standards to a service of remembrance. In particular, those members of the cricket club, who at the time of the declaration of the Great War, signed up, and went to defend their country and to help to bring us the peace. Unfortunately, some of those men did not return. During the service their names were read out by Guy Lavender, Chief Executive of the club, followed by the exhortation, delivered by Robert McDonald, representing the Royal British Legion. The service was held in the Old Pavilion due to the bad weather conditions, but it was well received by all those that attended. We have to say a big thank you to the vicar, Rev. Tim Jones, for the service. After the service, those members of the Legion who wished to, were invited to stay to watch the game. We were looked after very well by the club with our own box, for which, again, we have to say a big thank you. During the lunch break a bucket collection was taken with the assistance of the local Cadet Unit. They did a sterling job for which we must say thank you to them. During the collection we raised 366 that will go towards the annual Poppy Appeal and will be used to help the service personnel of the past, present and the future. On their behalf, I would like to say a big thank you to the Club, their supporters and all of the staff at Somerset Cricket Club and Legion members who contributed to a wonderful event. 8 Robert McDonald County Recruiting Officer

9 The County Chairman with Competitors at the recent Standard Bearers' Competition Three scenes from the Somerset Tattoo Pictures supplied by Ray Filler 9

10 WILLITON BRANCH LEADS WW1 PROJECT Williton Remembers WW1, the umbrella title for the RBL led week of commemoration, was a great success. The project had the full support of the Parish Council, the staff of the Quantock Academy schools and our local faith communities. It was funded by a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The plans included competitions for written work and art/craft projects in the local schools, an exhibition of WW1 related material, a day of commemoration and the preparation of a time capsule, to be buried in the Memorial Garden. Once the lottery grant was in place, plans proceeded apace. Our first decision was that the timescale from approval of the grant was too short to allow us to hold the events in August so Saturday 21 st September was set for a day of Commemoration with the exhibition open daily during the preceding week. Ross McKee curated the exhibition and pulled together a wide range of artefacts, photographs and documents that filled the space available and attracted plenty of visitors including school groups. The centre piece was based on research done into the names of the WW1 fallen inscribed on our War Memorial. Cards, with photographs of each man, showing the information gathered were linked to labels on a map showing the place where each man was killed. Williton RBL Women s section provided many of the stewards. Ross and Bert Pearson also visited the schools to talk about WW1 and answer questions from the children. The Day of Commemoration was graced by the presence of a number of honoured guests including the High Sheriff of Somerset, Richard Lloyd, who presented prizes to the competition winners and commemorative books to the children present. The day started with a parade led by a piper and the Williton RBL Mens and Womens Standards. This was followed by an inter-denominational service led by the Rev d Clive Gilbert. Before the afternoon concert Williton Branch committee entertained our VIP guests to a buffet lunch. We are grateful to the ladies of Watchet RBL Women s Section for preparing the excellent food. 10

One of the highlights of the day was the performances by Weston Brass Band and by the combined Military Wives Choirs of 40 Commando, RMB Chivenor and RMB Lympstone, which was greeted by

The success of the Williton Remembers WW1 project was due to the hard work of many people, both from the RBL and other partners.

11 One of the highlights of the day was the performances by Weston Brass Band and by the combined Military Wives Choirs of 40 Commando, RMB Chivenor and RMB Lympstone, which was greeted by tumultuous applause. Work on preparing the time capsule continues and it will be buried in the Memorial Garden in the next couple of months. The success of the Williton Remembers WW1 project was due to the hard work of many people, both from the RBL and other partners. The organising group is immensely grateful to everyone who contributed in any way. Guy Morgan Williton Branch Many visitors were fascinated to see and talk to the two reenactors dressed as WW1 Somerset Light Infantry and Black Watch soldiers. Some of the Military Wives Choirs entertain during the afternoon. 11

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL EVENTS DIARY 2014/15 November Sunday 2 nd Saturday 8 th Bristol Festival of Remembrance at the Colston Hall Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall January 2015

12 SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL EVENTS DIARY 2014/15 November Sunday 2 nd Saturday 8 th Bristol Festival of Remembrance at the Colston Hall Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall January 2015 Saturday 17 th Somerset & Bristol County Conference 10:00 am Writhlington School, Radstock... and Finally... Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it. RBL Somerset County & Bristol Newsletter Mahatma Gandhi Material for publication should be sent, by , to the County Secretary (KHurley@britishlegion.org.uk) at County Office, to arrive by the 20 th of the preceding month. All articles must be attributable anonymous articles will not be published. Please send text as an attached Word document or within the body of the . Send images as attached.jpg or.png files. Do not resize them or include them within a text file. County reserves the right to edit, amend, defer or omit articles as necessary. The current edition of the Newsletter, together with an archive of previous editions, can be found on-line at

The Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres (TYMS) organised

In the footsteps of a VC and a DCM The Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres (TYMS) organised two wonderful days on Wednesday 29 th and Thursday 30 th April when a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the