Armistice Day Centenary, 11 November 2018

Email sent from Phillip Bush to a number of local contacts.

A document attached is included below.

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Dear all,

The centenary of the First World War Armistice falls on Sunday 11 November 2018. I have been asked if I could help to arrange a number of suitable commemoration events in the village so, in the hope that you might be interested, I am contacting you to seek ideas on what we should do. In 2014 and 2016, we had a number of First World War themed events, linked to the start of the War and the . The commemoration of would be our final opportunity to bring the people of the village together to pay tribute to those who took part, both those who lived here and also those who were relations of ours. As a starting point, I have enclosed a few of my thoughts, and hope that you will contribute by letting me know what you think would be appropriate – and in what ways you might be able to help (eg by joining a small committee, helping with research, events, or publicity, or just producing a few good ideas). If you do not agree with any of my suggestions, please say so! Please also feel free to pass this “round robin” on to friends and neighbours if you wish; I would welcome their input as well. I should be most grateful if you could reply not later than Saturday 20 January. I will then do my best to put everyone’s ideas together and circulate them to a wider audience via The Weaver, the village website, notice boards, etc (any assistance with this task will be welcomed). With best wishes, Phillip Bush

COMMEMORATION OF THE CENTENARY OF ARMISTICE DAY

The first potential problem. • The centenary falls on the same day as Remembrance Sunday. It is important not to take over that day completely with First World War themed events, as that could cause distress to those who attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies to commemorate those who took part in other wars. Possibly most of our Armistice Day centenary events could take place during the previous week. • No doubt, there will be some advice produced by the Royal British Legion in due course.

Remembering those who took part. • For most people, a major part of the commemoration will be to honour those who took part in the First World War, and to give thanks for peace and those who returned • 113 men from Winsley parish took part (13 of whom lost their lives), and the stories of many of them have been collected by Linda Brooks are recorded in her fascinating archive https://winsleyatwar.wordpress.com. (See Annex A) • In 2014 and 2016, we found out about many other men and women who took part, who were related to people living in the village (23 of these lost their lives). (See Annex B) • The stories of both of these groups formed a major item of our exhibition of First Wold War memorabilia in 2014. We may wish to do something similar to commemorate them this time, and to research other relatives of current residents. There must be more of them – eg we only have two names from Turleigh, two from Murhill, and none from Haugh and Conkwell

Concert. • It has been suggested that there should be a concert in the Village Hall, consisting of some of our favourite poems, other readings, letters, First World War songs, other music, etc, including pieces about: o The Armistice and the stopping of fighting on the Western Front o The surrender of the German Fleet o The return of Unknown Warrior • Possibly, if wished, a version of this might also be put on at Winsley School and at Avonpark.

Display of knitted poppies. I understand that Winturwell WI are considering decorating areas near the Church and the War Memorial with knitted and crocheted poppies. No details yet.

Film Show in the Village Hall. As part of our August 2014 events, we had a special showing of the classic 1930 film “All quiet on the Western Front”. Should we ask the Village Hall Film Club if they could choose the new “Journey’s End” (due for general release on 2 February 2018 - based on the 1928 play by R C Sherriff) for their November 2018 film?

Exhibition. In 2014, we held an Exhibition of First World War memorabilia in the Village Hall. Probably we would not wish to repeat this, although there might be a case for displaying photographs of those who died, and others who took part, at the concert.

War Memorial ceremony. • For many people, a ceremony at the War Memorial, with laying of wreaths and other tributes, will be the most important event. Almost certainly, this must be on the Sunday, combined with the Remembrance Sunday arrangements, and in a format that is acceptable to both those who wish it to be combined with a service in Church and to those who do not attend Church; this can be a sensitive issue, and ideas on how this should be done will be welcomed. • In August 2014 (the centenary of the start of the War), we had a special service in the Church, followed by a wreath laying and commemoration ceremony at the War Memorial (ie no return to the Church afterwards, as is the normal custom on Remembrance Sunday): these paid tribute to the 13 Winsley men whose names are on our War Memorial, and 19 others, who were related to people then living in the village. • We need to consider whether we ought to do something similar to August 2014. Some possible ideas are: o Wreaths are normally laid by representatives of the Parish Council, St Nicholas Church, the Scouts, and Winsley School; this might be extended to include tributes by other village organisations, and in memory of the relations of those living here now, the Armed Services, the Merchant Fleet, Nursing Services, other non-combatants who took part, etc o Including other appropriate readings in addition to the traditional “They shall grow not old …” and the Kohima epitaph

Church Service • Bearing the above in mind, we need to consider whether we should suggest any changes to our normal Remembrance Sunday arrangements, which are well supported and valued by many people in the village. Possible variations could be: o Starting the service earlier than the usual 10.30 am and not returning after the War Memorial ceremony o Reading the lesson from a Bible issued to a First World War soldier o Reading the names of all who died in the First World War – both those from Winsley (whose names are on the War Memorial and the relations of those of us living here now) o Other appropriate readings, poems, etc o Prayers recommended by church authorities, Royal British Legion, etc • This would be followed by a procession from the Church to the War Memorial, for the wreath-laying, two minutes silence, etc. (transport will need to be arranged from the Church to the War Memorial for those less able to walk, and chairs for them could be provided at the War Memorial)

Church Bells. Church and other bells will ring out across the country at various times on 11 November. We may wish to join in.

Other memorials in the village. It may be appropriate to place tributes earlier in the week at these: • The “Honours Board” in the Winsley Club (Social Club), which lists the names of all those from the village who took part • The Memorial in the Methodist church, which lists the names of their members who died • Four of those whose names are on the War Memorial are commemorated on graves in the Churchyard, although none of them are actually buried there (Lieutenant Denys Brinckman), Captain Charles Brooks, Private Edgar Summers, Private Frank Summers)

Other village organisations may wish to take part in some way – ideas, please!

Previous events. A summary of earlier First World War commemorative events is at Annex C

PHILLIP BUSH Torwood, 175A Ashley Lane, Winsley BA15 2HR [email protected] 01225 866624 ANNEX A FIRST WORLD WAR NAMES ON THE WINSLEY WAR MEMORIAL

Private Francis Stuart ANGELL, Worcestershire Regiment Lieutenant Denys BRINKMAN, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Great Uncle of Judith Cunliffe-Jones, of Murhill House, Murhill) Captain Charles Alfred BROOKS, Wiltshire Regiment, attached to Royal Flying Corps Private Thomas Balfour GORNALL, Worcestershire Regiment Private Reginald HOBBS, Wiltshire Regiment Private Alexander LESLIE, Wiltshire Regiment Private Edgar LINTERN, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Gunner Albert Victor MIZEN, Royal Garrison Artillery Lieutenant Roger POORE, Royal Field Artillery Private Edgar Charles SUMMERS, Royal Hampshire Regiment Private Frank Oliver SUMMERS, The Buffs Private Leonard Percy WATSON, Wiltshire Regiment Private Robert WILCOX, Welsh Regiment

ANNEX B RELATIONS OF THOSE CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE VILLAGE WHO WERE KILLED IN THE WAR

Captain John Basil ARMITAGE, Cheshire Regiment. (Grandfather of John Symonds, of Sunrise, Winsley) Private William James BARROW, Gloucestershire Regiment (Relation of Michael Cottle, Winsley Social Club) Bombardier Edward George BATH, Royal Field Artillery (Uncle of Mary Alvis, of White Horse Road, Winsley) Second Lieutenant Karl BEMROSE, Sherwood Foresters (Uncle of Diana Deal, of Bradford Road, Winsley) Lieutenant Roderick Henry BEMROSE, MC, Royal Field Artillery (Uncle of Diana Deal, of Bradford Road, Winsley) Private Thuillier Lake CARDEW, 54th Australian Infantry (Cousin of Phillip Bush, of Ashley Lane, Winsley) Colonel Richard CHESTER-MASTER, DSO, 60th Rifles (Royal Rifle Corps) (Grandfather of Jane Hudson and Sarah Machin, both of Deanery Walk, Avonpark Village) Major Herbert Ernest DALBY, Royal Army Medical Corps (Grandfather of Anna Dalby, of Avonpark Village) Second Lieutenant Herbert Charles DALBY, York and Lancaster Regiment (Uncle of Anna Dalby of Avonpark Village) Aspirant Alfred Potier DE COURCY, French Navy (Uncle of Marthe Micklam, of Cottles Lane, Turleigh) Lieutenant John Forbes Menzies FLEMING, Otago Regiment (Relation of Toby Goodman, of Fieldins, Winsley) Captain Gordon Muriel FLOWERDEW, VC, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Canadian Cavalry Brigade) (Great Great Uncle of John Chantry of Late Broads, Winsley) Captain Ivon Hector GERMAN, MC, Hampshire Regiment Private James William GOUGH, King’s Own Scottish Borderers (Grandfather of Pat Harrison, of Tyning Road, Winsley) Private Archibald Woolcock HAWKEN, Devonshire Regiment (Great Uncle of Vernon Button, of Bradford Road, Winsley) Corporal John Edgar HUMPHREY, Australian Infantry (Great Uncle of Rona Allison, of Bradford Road, Winsley) Private Frederick LEWIS, Royal Fusiliers (Great Uncle of Peter Scourse, Green Lane, Turleigh) Private Charles Edward LLOYD, East Surrey Regiment. (Uncle of Brian Edmonds, of Bradford Road, Winsley) Captain Ernest William MARSHALL, MC, Somerset Light Infantry. (Great Uncle of Judith Cunliffe-Jones, of Murhill House, Murhill) Major Charles George MASSIE-BLOMFIELD, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Great Uncle of Phil Massie-Blomfield, of Winsley Hill) Lieutenant Herbert ORMESHER, Lincolnshire Regiment (Cousin of Alison Wells, of Late Broads, Winsley) Lieutenant William ORMESHER, King’s (Liverpool Regiment) attached Royal Fusiliers (Cousin of Alison Wells, of Late Broads, Winsley) 2nd Lieutenant Horatio John ROWSELL, Newfoundland Regiment (Uncle of Mary McDonald, of Avonpark Village)

ANNEX C

FIRST WORLD WAR COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS HELD IN 2014 AND 2016

2 August 2014 Exhibition of first world war memorabilia (Village Hall) Film show: “All quiet on the western front” (Village Hall)

3 August 2014 Joint service of commemoration (St Nicholas Church). Ceremony of remembrance (Village War Memorial) Exhibition of first world war memorabilia and tea (Village Hall)

4 August 2014 Placing of Remembrance Crosses on three graves in St Nicholas Churchyard Ceremony of remembrance (Village War Memorial) - short, less formal repeat event Candlelit vigil (Village War Memorial), marking the actual hour of the declaration of war

1 July 2016 Ceremony to remember those who died in the Battle of the Somme (Village War Memorial)