Sandbag – Wincanton RBL Newsletter for August 2014
Download the full edition (PDF)
Summary
Fenton Rutter
Our branch vice president Fenton Rutter passed away on 13th July. Sadly, within days, on 17th July Fenton’s wife Norah also passed away. Fenton has been a great supporter of our branch and held the post of vice president for many years. His wife Norah was also an active member and they will both be sadly missed.
Ruby Stevenson
Ruby Stevenson passed away on 17th July aged 96. Ruby was for many years our Poppy Appeal Organiser. Her hard work gradually built up our Poppy Appeal and she can be remembered sorting out and distributing the poppies around the town. Ruby was held in high regard by the branch and will be sadly missed.
The Great War
In common with Legion branches throughout the country members were invited to light a candle between 10.00pm and 11.00pm on Monday 4th August, which was the 100th anniversary of the declaration of war. Fresh wreaths and flowers were laid and a candle lantern placed at the Wincanton memorial at 10.00pm.
Hill 112
As we drive along the A303 near Mere we cannot fail to see the flag on the top of Castle Hill, Mere, and I am often asked to tell people why it is there. Until this year there has been an annual parade of veterans and regimental associations associated with the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division of World War Two.
Mere War Memorial and Normandy, Hill 112 War Memorial
The men of the 43rd Wessex Division distinguished themselves in Normandy, taking on the 9th SS Panzer Division at Hill 112 and were the first British formation to cross the Seine. A war memorial in Normandy is replicated on Castle Hill in Mere, below which a service took place every July, the last being this July.
The battles for Hill 112 were started on10th July and continued until August 1944. Hill 112 was an intermediate objective on the way to the River Orne crossings. The battles for the hill were extremely fierce and resulted in many casualties on both sides. In August 1944, the Germans withdrew from Hill 112 and the 53rd (Welsh) Division occupied the feature with barely a fight.
The 43rd Wessex Division had 7,000 casualties from 10–22 July. The importance of the battles for Hill 112 is remembered by the erection of the 43rd Wessex Division's memorial both in Normandy and at Mere.
Record Poppy Appeal
Arthur is just closing off Poppy Appeal 2013/14 and tells me that we have achieved an astounding £14,441.29 which includes Gift Aid of £193.50. This is an all-time record and an amazing achievement for a small town of our size.
A nice summer picture!
Alan Titchmarsh recently visited the Royal Hospital Chelsea and our member Paddy Fox took the opportunity to show him the dahlias in his allotment. What a nice summer shot!
Alan Tichmarsh with our member Paddy Fox
Forthcoming branch meetings: 7.00pm at the Wincanton Memorial Hall
15th September
3rd November (AGM)
Editor Tony Goddard
01963 824193
Secretary Arthur Pickup
01963 32952
Comments
Login to comment!