Sandbag – Wincanton RBL Newsletter for April 2014
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Summary
Lecture on the Great War
I have agreed to start off the commemoration of the start of the Great War with a lecture on behalf of Wincanton Historical Society. It will take place on 29th May at 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall. The lecture will be entitled "It'll all be over by Christmas - Wincanton goes to war 1914". I will focus on events here during the late summer and winter of 1914, considering the happenings in the town and the first town casualties of that war. The Historical Society will make a donation to the Poppy Appeal.
"Old Faithful" 70th anniversary commemoration
Old Faithful leading the squadron at Bassingbourn
Both our cadet units confirmed they are attending the commemoration on Sunday 22nd June and will be providing an Honour Guard for the Union flag and American flag. A group from King Arthur's School will be also be there and I have written to the primary schools too. There will be a group from Bourton School.
King's School Bruton Combined Cadet Force Band will lead the parade, which leaves Carrington Way at 2.00pm. Wincanton Silver Band will play the hymns and lead the Service of Remembrance around the War Memorial after the Sunday parade. They will then go into the Memorial Hall for the concert they will be holding at 3.00pm (ticket fee applicable).
On 25th June events are confirmed as follows:
11.00am Prayers and Thanksgiving will take place at the memorial on Bayford Hill, led by the rector, Rev. Nigel Feaver. Last Post will be played. At 3.00pm. We will attend the new memorial at Snag Farm by arrangement with the owners. Again, prayers will be led by Nigel. Wreaths will be laid at both sites.
Edward Kiddle – 1st/5th Somerset Light Infantry
Many of us rightly think of the horrors of the Great War in the context of the Western Front of France and Belgium, but an equally unpleasant war was being fought in the Holy Land against the Turkish and The Ottoman Empire. Many lads from Somerset were fighting and dying there, a long way from home under extremely nasty circumstances.
Edward enlisted in the Territorial Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, the 1st/5th Battalion, at Castle Cary in 1915. In October 1917 the Battalion was in position for the forthcoming battles of Gaza and Jerusalem.
Upon assaulting Gaza they found it deserted by the enemy and they entered an empty town. Advancing toward El Mughar, the British found the main body of the Turks in full retreat. The Somersets, along with the Wilts and Gurkha Rifles, making successful attacks on ridges around El Mughar.
The British were preparing to assault Jerusalem. On 21st November the 1st/5th Somersets set out along the old Roman Road, which went over rocky hills. Only light mountain guns were able to accompany the infantry, as the terrain was too difficult to get heavy artillery forward. This meant they were unable to reply to the heavily defended lines of the Turks outside Jerusalem.
The 1st/5th Somersets led the advance, the country was rocky and precipitous in the extreme. Their objective was a village called El Jib, which was a natural stronghold geographically and was well defended.
At dawn on 23rd November the Somersets were ordered to attack El Jib, which was a formidable objective. Eventually, the main body of the 74th Division were able to capture the position. However it was a tragic day for the Battalion, whose casualties were 68 killed and over 400 wounded. Amongst those killed that day was Edward Kiddle; his body was amongst those found on the rocky slopes. A brave son of Somerset.
Edward Kiddle
Wincanton RBL Roll of Honour
This generation of Legion members were unaware that the branch compiled a Roll of Honour of those who gave their lives during the Great War. It appears it was held in safe-keeping by Wincanton Museum, who thought it was a proper and fitting time to hand back the Roll to our branch. It probably dates from the 1960s and possibly was made for the 50th anniversary of the war, judging from its condition and the fact that it mentions "Royal" British Legion. I will approach the mayor in the hope it can form part of the commemoration of the start of war. We hope that the Town Council will permanently display it in the Town Hall.
Forthcoming branch meetings 7.00pm at the Wincanton Memorial Hall
19th May
16th June
Editor Tony Goddard
01963-824193
Secretary Arthur Pickup
01963-32952
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