I have paused my series about ‘housing developments in the rural villages’ this month to tell you about a local community project which has been underway since last Remembrance Sunday.
As we gathered at the War Memorial in Holy Trinity Churchyard to remember the fallen in 2 World Wars and all conflicts since then, I thought especially about my own grandfather. I had never known him. At the outbreak of WW1 he was living and working in Winchester.
He had a very young family in 1914 – two sons, my father and his baby brother.
Once war was declared he immediately joined the armed services and served with the Kings Own Riffles who saw active service in France. He was wounded several times and hospitalised until fit enough to return to duty. He was granted leave to return home to see his family and his third child – a daughter was conceived during that leave. He returned to France and died in 1917 from wounds, Trench fever and exhaustion.
Thinking of all those who have died, been wounded in body or mind or who have served for our freedom I wanted to do something to mark my personal respect in a tangible way. I had seen a fall of poppies cascading from a turret at the Black Watch Museum in Perth when the poppies from the Tower of London were touring the country. So, the idea of creating a fall of poppies for our own War Memorial in Sibford was born. Joined by friends, knitters and crocheters we sorted or purchased wool and got busy. In addition to the usual red poppies we have created a few white ones to remember those who chose not to fight but worked in other ways to support the nation. Several Sibfordian Quakers served in the Friends Ambulance Service recovering wounded soldiers from the Front Line. There are also a few purple ones to remember the animals, especially the horses, who bravely supported the military in the First World War.
While thanking all those who have made poppies, I hope our own fall of poppies will add a special touch at this time of Remembrance.
Maureen Hicks
