Draycott Great War Memorial...

The Derbyshire Legion Page | 1

The Magazine of the Royal British Legion in Derbyshire December/January 2014/15

Incorporating the Derbyshire LegionLetter Newsletter

Registered Charity No. 219279 Shoulder to shoulder with all who serve Vol. 5 Issue 3

Draycott Village Great War Memorial Garden, Walk Close, was dedicated on the 15th

July 2014. This ghostly

picture features the Garden and Long Eaton Branch Member and re-enactor Tony Bryan. Tony lives in Long Eaton

but works in Draycott not far from the Memorial. He is wearing the uniform of a soldier of the Sherwood Foresters

(Notts & Derby) Regiment from the Great War. Fifty-six men from Draycott never returned from the war and this

garden is dedicated to them. Photo by Steve Inger a local Freelance Photographer. See page eleven.

Draycott Great War Memorial Garden


Chairman’s Commentary

Editorial

The next Derbyshire Legion will be published on the 25th

February 2015 Please send your contributions to me by the 15

th February for inclusion. If it is received after this date I might not be

able to get it in. Editor John P. Irwin

I have been most pleased to attend, mostly accompanied by my wife Anne, many events right across the county,

starting with Hopton Wood at Middleton early in May and concluding with a Concert of Remembrance at

Hayfield earlier this month. I have been pleasantly surprised by the attendance at all the events, which shows that

the Legion’s message, that we must never forget those who fought and died on our behalf, is now well recognised

across the Country.

I am pleased to be able to confirm the area Office, Pop in Centre and County Office will relocate to 18 St Peter’s

Street, Derby, early in the New Year, following approval by the City Council of the RBL’s Planning Application.

This Centre will be one of only sixteen such locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and will be the

focus of all things RBL across the East Midlands. This is a real feather in our “Cap” and will be one that other

East Midland Counties are most envious.

As this is the last issue of the Magazine for this year, may I wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a happy

and successful New Year.

Bernard Page MBE

Thank you to all who supplied items for this edition, there has been a great response to my

email from Legion Branches in Derbyshire. So much so that for the first time since 2012

a special fundraisng edition of The Derbyshire Legionletter will be published separately

so I can fit into this edition of the Derbyshire Legion the contributions I have received.

I must apologise for the late publication of this edition due to the Poppy Appeal as I am

the organiser for Long Eaton and District. Like many PAO up and down the country I

have spent the last month counting and banking the money from the collection. Our total

at the time of this editorial is £50313.88 this is our highest total ever. I think I can agree

with our Chairman Bernard Page, we can be sure that this Poppy Appeal has been a good

one.

Wanted for the Magazine: News of your events for the 100th

Anniversary of the

Great war or anniversaries connected to WWII as well as anything else of interest to

other Legion Members in Derbyshire. Please take photos and send them to me with

some words to explain what you have been up to. I am still receiving some good

pictures but little or no text to go with them. I cannot produce a magazine without your

support.

I would like to wish all our readers and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and

properous New Year.

John P. Irwin, Editor

As we come to the end of the Poppy Appeal fortnight I am sure that life for,

many of you, will start to return to some form of normality. It has been a busy

period, and I am most appreciative of the many hours put in by many Branch

Members, to ensure that the Legion can continue with its work with the

Ex-Service Community for another year. Very early reports give rise to

optimism that we could have a very successful Appeal.

We are also coming to the end of 2014, the year of the 100th Anniversary of the

start of the First World War. From a Branch, County and National perspective

it has been a special year when many Churches, groups and organisations have

come together to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice a century

ago.


Crich’s Queen’s Golden Jubilee Seat

is Finally Dedicated

It is with sincere thanks for the help and support of Mr & Mrs Harrison that at last we were able to finalise the

occasion. Our thanks to Mrs Harrison for an excellent buffet which was enjoyed by all. The weather although not

sunny, was dry and warm and all those attending we're able to enjoy the occasion. A Loyal toast was given after the

dedication.

BEM PRESENTATION By Tony Millward

There was 54 guests at my presentation which included:

our MP, our MEP, DDDC Leader, Chair of DDDC, Mayor of Ashbourne, Lt McNeil, Ram Major Cpl Benson and

Ram Orderly Pte Seager from the Mercian Regiment.

David Wheatcroft Clerk to the Lieutenancy read out part of my Citation:

“Tony Millward received the award which mentioned the part he had played with the Mercian Regiment, sending out

101 shoeboxes to men on operations in Afghanistan and other things that had been taken into account like the Town

Band and the Ashbourne Highland Gathering and the Ashbourne Royal British Legion and others and he had received

the BEM for services to the Community of Ashbourne”

He was then presented the medal by the Lord Lieutenant Mr William Tucker, who also presented a bouquet of flowers

to his wife Lynda.

My Speech I would like to thank the Lord Lieutenant for allowing the Presentation to be made in Ashbourne in what I believe is

the first occasion it has taken place in the town, and also David and Debra for their part.

It means so much to me that I have received the BEM in Ashbourne. I have to say thank you for the huge input of

Lynda my wife as I could not of done any of this without her. For this award and during the 48 years I have been

doing Community work in Ashbourne.

Also the help from James Hollingsworth in putting forward the letters of support which Lynda had collected and had

them sent to next door. I knew nothing about being put forward for an honour and received the letter on my birthday,

but when I saw the envelope which had on it On Her Majesty’s Service, Cabinet Office I thought there must have been

some mistake, I had to read the letter three times to take it all in and then had to keep it a secret for a month which was

very hard.

The same goes for my friends and the Ashbourne people and without your support none of this would have been

possible and each and every one of you tonight and in the town, have contributed in one way or another for this award,

but none of this was ever done to receive such an huge honour like this. When I was shown the letters of support I

could not believe the kind words that people had written about me.

On Sunday 14th

September 2014 the

Members of Crich and District Branch had

the pleasure of dedicating a bench,

(pictured), to Her Majesty the Queen in

recognition of her Golden Jubilee.

The dedication was performed by the

Reverend Jim Grey and in attendance were

the Branch President Mr Chris Jackson and

his wife Sally, Branch Secretary, Mr Sam

Lomas and his wife Sue, plus other

members of the Branch.

It was also a pleasure to have the Pipes &

Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders Nott's

Branch who played a lament before and

after the dedication. This dedication was the

climax to a long and sometimes difficult

period with delay after delay seeking

permission to site the seat at Crich Stand.


The last two years have been the time when I seem to have received recognition after recognition with the Chairman

of the District, meeting the Queen, William and Kate at Nottingham, meeting the Prince of Wales for the new Mercian

Regiment Colours Presentation at Worcester, going to the Queens Garden Party, receiving a Mercian Commendation,

and I have just completed 25 years as Chairman of Ashbourne Town Band and now this.

Derbyshire Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Annual Purse Presentation by Angela Swift

Bakewell Branch of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section in conjunction with their 80th

anniversary celebrations

hosted Derbyshire County’s Annual Purse Presentation at the Town Hall, Bakewell on Friday 29th August 2014.

Branches of Allestree, Belper, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Littleover, Mickleover and Youlgrave were also present.

The evening began with the Act of Homage being said by Judith Twigg, Bakewell’s Branch President and she asked

everyone present whilst stood in silence remembering the County President, Mrs Mary Middleton MBE who passed

away at the end of March. She then welcomed everyone to her home town, a town where she was born and bred and

which she was proud to serve.

Guest of honour was the Rt. Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP for Derbyshire Dales and Secretary of State for Transport

and he was welcomed by the County Chairman Mrs Angela Swift. Other guests included Cllr. Alyson Hill the Mayor

of Bakewell and other members of the Town Council, County RBL President Mr. W. Else and his wife Aileen,

County Vice Chairman Philip Swarski, John Cam the RBL County Treasurer and Col Leslie Wright the RBL

Bakewell President and Leonard Twigg the RBL Bakewell Vice Chairman.

The Purse Presentation is the highlight of the County’s calendar, the day when the branches present the culmination

of their fundraising efforts over the year. The Per Capita Cups will be awarded as a result of the amounts donated.

Patrick McLoughlin said on receiving the purses how proud he was to be here on this occasion and the Women’s

Section are to be congratulated on the amounts raised.

A superb buffet prepared and served by Mesdames: Pheasey, Kreuger, Edwards, Dudley and Vickers of Bakewell

Branch was served and the Vote of Thanks was given by Mrs Beryl Hurst of Littleover Branch who gave particular

mention to Mrs Pheasey for all her hard work and thanked Bakewell Pudding Shop for their kind donations towards

the buffet.

The raffle organised by Mrs Jackie Herlihy of the County Committee was drawn and among the lucky winners were

Mesdames: M. Orme, M. Morely, D. Wicks, J. Buxton, K. McDermott and E. Sewell. The proceeds from this

amounted to £130 which included a £10 donation.

Not forgetting being Mayor 2001-2002 and

turning up the Shrovetide Ball and

deputising for the Prince of Wales when his

Aunt died and being chaired into the Green

Man an honour that is usually reserved for

the scorers of the ball. I shall wear the

Medal with great pride in the future and

once again thank you for your support.

I would also like to thank the Ashbourne

Ex-Serviceman’s Club for letting me use

the Function Room and Stewart Lees and

also David the Steward.

And to round off what was a wonderful

evening was the buffet put on by Rosemary

and David Bates of Bates Bakery.

Tony Millward BEM


Patrick McLoughlin proudly did the honour of presenting County Certificates of Appreciation to the following

members: Shirley Brassington the retiring Chairman of Youlgrave, Margaret Bristow the retiring Secretary of

Youlgrave in recognition of the hard work they have put in for their Branch and to Hazel Dawes Treasurer of Belper,

Valerie Halls the Secretary and Standard Bearer of Belper, Priscilla Bridge a Committee member and hard working

member of Belper.

Mrs Jan Buxton the County Treasurer was very proud to announce that even though there had been changes in the

year end, this year the County Purse totalled £8,154.00. She thanked the branches most sincerely. A job very well

done. These monies according to the branches wishes are to be donated to Head Office for the benevolent schemes

they administer along with small amounts to both Head Office and County for their administration.

Cromford Branch Commemorates the start

of both World Wars

To Commemorate the Centenary of the start of the Great War and 75th Anniversary of the start of WWII, on Saturday

1st November 2014 Cromford Branch planted in the War Memorial Grounds a Rose bush in memory of each of the 41

men whose names are inscribed on the Cromford and Scarthin War Memorials. The Rose bushes and plaques were

sponsored by friends, relations and businesses in Cromford. (Pictured below).

Sunday 9th

November 2014

The Service of Remembrance was held at St Mary's Church, Cromford, followed by wreath laying at Cromford and

Scarthin War Memorials by dignitaries and supported by the Wirksworth Detachment of the Army Cadets.

Armistice Day, Tuesday 11th

November 10.45am

The Children from Cromford C of E School attended both Memorials, laid crosses in memory of the fallen, recited

poems, sang a hymn and observed the two minutes silence.

[Type a quote from the document or the

summary of an interesting point. You

can position the text box anywhere in

the document. Use the Text Box Tools

tab to change the formatting of the pull

quote text box.]


Hayfield Branch Fundraising and Remembrance Text and picture supplied by David Ash Branch Secretary

Friday 7th

November 2014. Poppy Appeal Concert - Kinder Children’s Choir The Branch organised a Poppy Appeal fundraising concert at St Matthews Church Hayfield. The concert was

performed by the Kinder Children’s Choirs of the High Peak and conducted by the director of music Joyce Ellis MBE.

The concert was very well attended and the welcome was given by Mr Bernard Page MBE our County Chairman and

guests included Col John Wilson Deputy Lieutenant and Mr David Coleman Derbyshire’s High Sherriff. A short act

of remembrance took place and High Peaks Mayor Allan Barrow and the MP Andrew Bingham placed a wreath at the

memorial plaque.

Over £1000 was raised from the concert which will be going to the Branches annual Poppy Appeal. A special thank

you goes to the New Mills Army Cadet Force who helped out enormously on the evening and they are a credit both to

their detachment and instructors.

Monday 10th

November 2014 Hayfield Primary School – Remembrance Assembly & Talk

A special assembly was organised for the school by one of the members, John Pope. The talk and presentation

focussed on life in the village in 1914 and how the village was affected and changed by the outbreak of the Great War.

The children also learnt about the Act of Remembrance and the work of the Royal British Legion. During the day the

children produced an individual and personalised commemorative tag for each of Hayfields war causalities that would

be used the following day. They also put together a visual display in the school entrance including the history and

pictures of some of the service men and women of the village.

Tuesday 11th

November 2014 Hayfield Primary School – Armistice Day Service

Hayfield RBL Branch organised the Armistice Day Act of Remembrance for the school children of the village. Over

250 children and adults turned out for this and all the prayers were said by the children. A roll of honour was read out

while individual named poppy balloons were released by the children and the school wreaths were laid at the war

memorial.

Our 99 year old Branch President, Captain Albert Knowles kindly let the children say the Exhortation and said ‘It was

so encouraging and made him so proud to see the next generation taking such an active role in the remembrance

service’.

Afterwards, 150 children received a poppy cup cake personally made by Dawn Blakemore the Branch PAO, as a

thank you for their hard work, contributions and support for the Legion.


Ripley Branch Poppy Appeal and Remembrance

Activities in Pictures Supplied by Dean Fowler Branch Chairman

Youth Member Presentation

"Paint the Town Red"

High Sheriff gives Talk to the Branch

My 18 month old Grandaughter ready

for Poppy Appeal Collecting

Poppy Appeal at local store

WWI Memorial dedication at Crossley Park Ripley

1of 9 Plinths dedicated at Crossley Park Ripley


Cherry Blossom helps local Scouts to shine on

Remembrance Day

Cherry Blossom (Granger’s International Ltd) shoe polish took special measures to ensure no lacklustre appearances

at this year’s Centenary Remembrance Sunday Parade for one local Scout troop.

The Alfreton-based manufacturers of the iconic shoe care brand – which itself has been an instantly-

recognisable part of any soldiers’ kit for more than a century – organised a ‘Shining Parade’ for the

107th

Derby Scouts (Aston, Weston and Shardlow) in preparation for several events the troop attended to

commemorate the First World War. This included a ceremony in Ypres, the Belgian city that has come to

represent a place of remembrance and reflection for those affected by conflict.

Using polish and brushes donated by the company, local ex-Servicemen Bob Read, Duncan Wallis and

Adrian Hayward-Wills from the Aston and Weston Branch of the Royal British Legion were invited to put

the scouts through their polishing paces.

“Bob, Duncan and Adrian were fantastic at instructing the Scouts on how to iron their uniforms and neckers

properly, and of course they were experts in buffing shoes and boots to the highest shine,” explains Scout

Leader Stuart Cooke. “But it was particularly great to hear how these ex-Servicemen encouraged our Scouts

to aim to look their best whilst remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice during wartime.”

As well as co-ordinating the Shining Parade, the company have funded the badges the Scouts wear to show

they are a Royal British Legion affiliated youth group, they have made a donation to the Aston and Weston

Branch, and provided the memorial wreaths the five members of the Derby 107th

took to Ypres in

November.

Both groups marched together at the Remembrance Day parade in Aston on Sunday 9th

November.

Granger’s International Limited was established in 1937.

The company employs 77 people and its HQ is in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

In 2014, turnover reached over £10m for the first time in the company’s history.

Disclaimer:

Please note the Royal British Legion does not endorse this product and the name of it is only included

as an essential part of the article. John P. Irwin, Editor.


Long Eaton Branch Great War Memorial

and Oak Tree by John P. Irwin Treasurer, Archivist and Poppy Appeal Organiser

Like many branches in Derbyshire, Long Eaton has been busy all year with various events connected with the 100th

anniversary of the start of the Great War, they have always been other peoples. I have recorded in this magazine many

of the events Derbyshire branches have taken part in, connected with this anniversary. Now it is time for me to record

the main Long Eaton Branch event for the anniversary, which I feel is a fitting end to 2014.

At the beginning of the year Branch Members discussed what we would do to commemorate the anniversary, some

sort of memorial marking the fact the Great War had started one hundred years ago was what everyone wanted. It is

not a memorial to the fallen that is what the War Memorial is for.

Our Chairman Paul Jarvis suggested a granite stone and asked Members to come up with a design.

Fifteen year old Beth Hand our youngest Member came up with the idea of a poppy shaped design and Paul and

myself refined the wording. We wanted a suitable piece of Derbyshire granite stone but this proved to be very

expensive and the granite stone was finally sourced from India. Given that thousands of Indian troops fought and died

for this country as well as their own in the two world wars we were pleased to have the memorial made from this

stone. Branch Members raised the money themselves by donations. We wanted it that way as it was a Memorial paid

for by the Branch Members and nobody else.

Paul and myself had talks with the Head of Culture and Leisure for Erewash Borough Council and the council were

very helpful and supported us all the way. A number of sites were suggested in West Park and they sourced the Oak

Tree for us. We were also told the best time of year to plant a tree is November.

Local Memorial Masons R. Smeetons made the memorial stone and it was decided it was too busy on Remembrance

Sunday so it was that Armistice Day 11th

November was chosen for the tree planting and unveiling.

Deputy Lieutnant of Derbyshire Wing Commander Giles, The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal

who is very proud of being a Sikh and Sikh heritage, the Leader of the Council Chris Corbett, Members of the Branch,

RAFA, Toch H, other Veterans, the Sea, Army and Air Cadets, Long Eaton and Grange School children and many

people from the town all attended the short service which included the “two minute silence” at 11 o’clock lead by

Bishop Roger Jupp vicar of St Laurence Parish Church and Chaplin to the Branch.

The tree planting ceremony then took place with our oldest Member 94 year old Les Comery (Les served in the Royal

Navy during WWII, part of Captain Frederic “Johnnie” Walker’s famous Support Group protecting the Atlantic

Convoys from German U-Boats) and our youngest Member Beth Hand using a First World War trenching tool to

place soil around the Oak tree. The Mayor then unveiled the memorial stone, Bishop Jupp then dedicated the tree and

stone. The refreshments laid on by the Branch was provided in the Long Eaton Rugby Club.

Les Comery and Beth Hand by Stuart Robertson

The scene before the start of the service by John P. Irwin


Bishop Roger Jupp, the Mayor Kewal Singh Athwal & Branch Peter Bacon ex-Royal Tank Regiment by Stuart Robertson

Branch President Peter Bacon, Beth Hand and Les Comery pictured with the Memorial Stone by Stuart Robertson

Les Comery using the trenching tool. By Stuart Robertson

The Mayor unveiling the Memorial Stone by Stuart Robertson

Taken by John P. Irwin


Draycott Great War Memorial Garden By John P. Irwin

Draycott between Long Eaton and Derby was a little village at the time of the outbreak of the Great War but still

managed to send many of its sons to war – 56 never came back. There is a a War Memorial on the main road to Derby,

but the parish council decided this year to create a WWI memorial garden in Walk Close. It was dedicated on 15th

July, unfortunately I could not attend. Tony Bryan Long Eaton Branch Parade Marshal was involved in the creation of

the garden. Because Long Eaton Branch have Members that come from Draycott (there is no RBL branch in

Draycott) and it is part our Poppy Appeal area we attended in the pouring rain on 11th

November the Armistice Day

Service.

RAFA also was represented by their Standard Bearer, our Standa rd Bearer Claire Smith carried the Union Standard

and Paul Jarvis carried our Branch Standard. The service was lead by the local vicar. During the service the 56 names

of the Draycott men who did not return were read out by Tony Bryan and pupils from Draycott Primary School placed

a painted stone on the edge of the garden. They did not have much time to paint them with a poppy, they were only

asked the day before if they would do it for next year but the Head Teacher said no we will get the children to do them

today. They were quite busy on Monday and did not quite get 56 done but they will next year with more time to do

them.

We Shall Keep The

Faith

Oh! You who sleep in Flanders Fields

Sleep sweet – to rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the faith

With all who died

We cherish too the poppy red

That grows on the fields where valour led

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies

But leads a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the

dead

In Flanders Fields

And now the torch and poppy red

We wear in honour of our dead

Fear not that ye have died for naught

We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields

Moina Michael, November 1918

Tony Bryan wearing the uniform of a Great War Sergeant Major of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt). Taken by John P.Irwin

The poem above by Moina Michael is inscribed on the plaque. Taken by John P. Irwin

Final Word

It has struck me this year how many young people want to learn

about what their relatives did in the two world wars and the

conflicts since 1945.

Claire Smith Long Eaton Branch Standard Bearer goes around the

schools giving talks on the Legion and the wars since 1914. She

reports that she gets a good response from the students of all ages.

So I think that Remembrance of this Country’s War dead will be in

good hands when we older ones have gone. Also we are affiliated

to four local Cadet Units and I am Chairman of the Long Eaton Sea

Cadets and they see at first hand the work the Branch does for the

local ex-service community.

It is also very important to think of and help those serving and

ex-service personnel who are still living with the consequences of

war.

So remember the dead, but help the living.


Derbyshire RBL Contact List

RBL Contact Centre Number

0808 802 8080 All County Officers are Contactable through the Above Number.

County Office Address: Saxon House, Heritage Gate

Derby, DE1 1NL

County Chairman Mr Bernard W Page MBE

Email: [email protected]

County Secretary Mr Chris Black


County Community Fundraiser Mrs. Christine Selden

Mobile: 07973 750816


County Training Officer Mrs. Yvonne Robinson

Tel: 07870 853365


County Website Webmaster Mr. Chris Drury

Tel: 01332 556385

Email:

[email protected]

County Website www.britishlegion-derbyshire.org.uk

The Derbyshire Legion is edited by

Mr John P. Irwin

Mobile: 07501115814

All contributions should be sent

via email to [email protected] or post to

82 Bridge St. Long Eaton

Derbyshire, NG10 4QQ

Registered Charity no. 219279

Based in Derby

Same Contact Number 0808 802 8080

East Midlands Area Manager

Linda Flecknell


East Midlands Area Administrator

Theresa Smith

[email protected]

Advice & Information Team Leader

Digby Bown

[email protected]

Advice & Information Officer

Darren Maltby

[email protected]

Derbyshire Case Officer

Responsible for Welfare work in Derbyshire

Jayne Hughes

[email protected]

All Welfare Cases must go through the Contact

Centre: 0808 802 8080

mailto:[email protected]





http://www.britishlegion-derbyshire.org.uk/







Draycott Great War Memorial...

Documents

Transcript of Draycott Great War Memorial...