|
 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.
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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.
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