WW1 Commemoration

On Monday the 4th of August 2014
Verwood Town Commemorated the start of WW1
and re-dedicated the "Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground".

On Monday the 4th of August 2014, Cllr. Robin Cook (chairman of East Dorset District Council), civic leaders, representatives of community groups and Verwood residents, turned out in force to commemorate the start of WW1, with the Mayor, Cllr Pat Morrow and Rev. Julian Macro officiating in a short ceremony at the War Memorial on Ferrett Green.

At 11 a.m. Sophie Howes of Verwood Concert Brass played Reveille to start the commemorative ceremony with a speech by the Mayor. After this a short poem was read and the Rev. Julian Macro (United Reformed Church) led the assembled company in prayers.

Sophie Howes then sounded the "The Last Post" and the Union Jack and Dorset flags were lowered to half mast on the two new flag poles with the Verwood Concert Brass then playing the National Anthem.

The two Royal British Legion standard bearers, Mr Royston Slade - the Verwood branch standard bearer, and Mr Norman Pearce - the Dorset County standard bearer were also in attendance.

Counciller Morrow gave the following speech:-

"100 years ago today Britain declared war on Germany. Along with many communities throughout our country we are meeting here to commemorate that occasion.

This was to be the war to end all wars yet throughout the 100 years there have been and still are wars between diverse factions taking place throughout the world. We have only to turn on our televisions nowadays to be placed visually in the centre of things and to witness the appalling consequences of man's inhumanity to man.

Countless young men and women have left their homes and-families to defend our country. If they hadn't gone 100 years ago we would not be living in the peace and freedom which we enjoy. We can never truly understand what they went through.

Many died, many were severely injured both physically and mentally.

Families were torn apart unable to cope with the terribly damaged people who returned to them. Children lost their childhood .

That has gone on throughout the century. There are very few of that era still alive but they live on in the memory of their families. It is right that we commemorate their bravery. We especially give thanks for all the people of Verwood who suffered and who died.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women , who still go to foreign countries to defend our way of life and our country.

To their families and friends who grieve for them and care for the injured we give our thanks. Life cannot be easy at times."

Those attending the commemoration were then invited to cross the road to re-dedicate Verwood's Memorial Ground when the Mayor and Mr Dennis Wright (president of Verwood RBL) unveiled a plaque which commemorates the First World War. The Memorial Ground had been purchased by public subscription in 1920 as a memorial to local men who fell in WW1.

The Mayor of Verwood, Cllr Pat Morrow and Mr Dennis Wright (Verwood RBL) unveiled the plaque.

The Mayor of Verwood, Cllr Pat Morrow and Cllr Robin Cooke chairman of East Dorset District Council.