"At eleven o'clock this DUFFIELD REMEMBERS morning came to an end the cruellest and most terrible War that has ever World War I scourged mankind. I hope we may say that thus, this Armistice Day Centenary fateful morning, came to an end all wars." 11 November 2018 David Lloyd George, Speech in the Poppies at Derby Silk Mill, June 2017 House of Commons, 11 Nov 1918 Sherwood Foresters leaving Derby for France, 1915 The centenary of the end of World War I falls on the 11th November 2018, a Sunday, and up and down the country Duffield Parish Council has produced this leaflet to beacons will be lit to remind us all of the day when peace give residents a chance to find out more about the was won – albeit for all too brief a time. history of WWI in Duffield. Duffield Parish Council is com- memorating this centenary with a Our grateful thanks go to David Zydzienowski, Lynn number of activities on the day, Wagstaff, Adrian Brown of Derbyshire Heritage culminating in the annual fireworks Walks, Adrian Farmer of Belper Historical Society, display at 7:10pm (which this year is a FREE event), and we hope that and Chris Preston of Derbyshire War Memorials, for as many people as possible in the their assistance in compiling this information. village will take part in learning more about WWI, remembering To download another copy of this leaflet, or to find the Parish's fallen heroes and out more about the history mentioned here, celebrating the end of the conflict. including links to relevant websites visit: A bespoke brazier—the “Beacon of www.duffieldparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Light” —will be lit at 7pm at Eyes duffield-wwi-event.html Meadow to mark the occasion, and thanks to an Armed Forces Covenant grant, the Council has received several “There but not there” silhouettes which will be displayed in St Alkmund’s church. Duffield Parish Council To find out more about the activities, including a Weston Centre, Tamworth Street centenary concert, tea dance, quiz, children’s Duffield DE56 4ER activities and informative displays visit: 01332 842740 www.duffieldparishcouncil.gov.uk/ [email protected] www.duffieldparishcouncil.gov.uk VILLAGE MAP duffield-wwi-event.html DUFFIELD’S WAR 1, THE PASTURES HAZELWOOD ROAD CEMETERY Number 1, The Pastures was built in 1913 as a During the war Hazelwood Road Cemetery was “These men, who were living a peaceful church hall. managed by William Westnidge Sr who along with his wife Emily and sons, lived at Cemetery Lodge. life, little dreamt of the trials, the In 1914 it was used to house Belgian refugees 1 The Pastures: in 1915, and then converted into a convalescent home and below, as it is now The Westnidge name appears twice on the War difficulties and the dangers they would for wounded soldiers. The hospital staff were Memorial: William S. and Arthur H. Westnidge. have to undergo, with that not professional nurses, but were drawn from William was 34 and Arthur was just 20 years old. the ranks of local society ladies who had final sacrifice of all—their life.” Another of the family’s sons, Gordon Westnidge, volunteered to look after wounded service- survived the war but with terrible injuries and Words of Admiral Sir Frederick Inglefield, unveiling men as their patriotic duty. Having volun- suffering the effects of shell shock. Tragically, teered, they received a basic nursing training the Duffield War Memorial, 30th April 1921 Gordon took his own life in 1937 as a result of the to allow them to look after the troops, but had mental and physical injuries he suffered. no real medical skills other than basic first aid. DUFFIELD HALL Gordon, William and The Pastures Hospital treated over 700 patients Arthur can be seen in this At the time of WW1, Duffield Hall was the home of the before it closed in April 1919. photo of the family from Smith family. Three members of the Smith Family are around 1901. Gordon is mentioned on the War Memorial: Colonel Granville standing on the far left, R.F. Smith and two of his sons: Granville K.F. Smith, William standing along- and Geoffrey L.J. Smith. The three all served as side, and Arthur seated to officers in the Coldstream Guards during WW1. the right of their mother. Arthur Francis Smith, another brother in the same Cemetery Lodge There also several Commonwealth family, also served in the Coldstream Guards and War Graves to be found in the survived the war. He was knighted in 1942 and Cemetery. These can be recognised appointed the commanding officer of all troops in from the standardised appearance Iraq and Persia in 1944. In 1947 he was the last commander of Portland limestone with a of all British forces in India, and after retiring from the curved top. army, held the post of Lieutenant of the Tower of London. He died at the age of 86 on August 8th 1977. War grave of Maurice CASTLE HILL Stone at Duffield Cemtery The photo below shows many horses ST ALKMUND’S PARISH gathered together at Castle Hill to be CHURCH taken away to use in the war. Several memorial stones can be The Government commandeered found within the church remember- DUFFIELD WAR MEMORIAL 165,000 horses for the war effort in 1914 ing some of the young men who died The war memorial was unveiled in April 1921 alone. Owners who could not prove that serving their country, and who are and lists over 40 men of Duffield who were their horses were needed for essential also remembered on the War killed fighting, or died from injuries sustained transport and agricultural needs had to Memorial; including one to John in WWI. surrender them. Reynolds Cash and William Eric Cash. The brothers were aged In 2016 Duffield Parish Council received a War just 19 and 18 respectively when Memorial Grant to carry out repairs and clean they were lost and were the only the Duffield memorial, to ensure the names of sons of John William Cash, a those who died can be remembered by future farmer at Flaxholme in the generations to come. The War Memorial has village. recently been awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England.