Commemorating men lost from the Vale of Belvoir in the the first week of the German Spring Offensive - 21st March, 1918

Centenary Remembrance Service St Guthlac's Church, Stathern Saturday 24th March 2018

Melanie Davies

The arrival of the Hose and Hardy Branch Royal British Legion Standard, St Guthlac's Church Remembrance Service, 24th March 2018
BCHG (DM)

The Hose & Harby branch of the Royal British Legion together with Bottesford Parish First World War Centenary
Project and St Mary’s church, Bottesford organised this simple service to mark the 100yrs since ten men from across the Vale who were killed in the first few days of the German spring offensive in March 1918. The service included the one hundredth such act of remembrance to be carried out in the Vale since 2014. The weather might have been grey & damp outside but once inside St Guthlac’s church, the welcome was a warm one. Tea & coffee was served to those folk from across the Vale and relatives of one of the soldiers remembered, who attended the service of remembrance. The service was led by Reader, Canon Judith Wells assisted by Revd David Payne. The names of the ten were read out & more detailed histories shared of two of the men, before a cross for each was presented to representatives from the four parishes of Long Clawson, Harby, Hose & Bottesford to be placed on the respective war memorials. Just listening to the histories alone, brought home the importance of why these services and acts of remembrance have been held over the past four years and why the deaths of these & all others who died or lived with their wounds for years afterwards should never be forgotten. After the service a buffet lunch was enjoyed by all at The Plough Inn, Stathern.

The Ten Men Remembered were:
From Long Clawson Pte. Horace Hand, Pte. George Edward Izzit, Pte. James Miller & Pte. Frederick Marriott

From Stathern Major John Crosby Warren MC, Tpr. Albine Knapp & Pte. F. Watson

From Harby Pte. Thomas Alfred Kemp

From Bottesford Sgt. Walter Hardy DCM , Pte. Phillip Sutton

Out thanks to Melanie Davies for writing this article.

Her photographs from the event are posted on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/…/maidofken…/albums/72157667205758298

Royal British Legion Hose and Harby Branch at St Guthlac's Church, Stathern, 24th March 2018 commemorating 10 servicemen from the Vale of Belvoir lost in the first days of the German Spring Offensive - 21st March 1918.

Royal British Legion Hose and Harby Branch at St Guthlac’s Church, Stathern, 24th March 2018 commemorating 10 servicemen from the Vale of Belvoir lost in the first days of the German Spring Offensive – 21st March 1918 (Photography with kind permission of Melanie Davies)

 

This page was added on 31/03/2018.

Comments about this page

  • My wife Betty and I attended. Thank you for your welcome and the lovely buffet.

    Ex FS G S “Bill” Bennett.

    By Graham Bennett (08/04/2018)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.