Winchelsea remembers its118 Great War service-men

The town of Winchelsea will commemorate the centenary of the commencement of World War 1 on Monday August 4 with events at the Court Hall, War Memorial and Church.
W & T Field of Winchelsea. SUS-140728-125024001W & T Field of Winchelsea. SUS-140728-125024001
W & T Field of Winchelsea. SUS-140728-125024001

Melvyn Pett said: “The events will recognise the shared impact on the lives of everyone in every town and village of our country during this War which claimed many millions of lives.”

An exhibition in the Lower Court Hall from 11am to 4 pm will pay a photographic tribute to the 118 young men from Winchelsea who fought, and ten who were killed, in the service of their country.

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Typical of these young soldiers were Thomas and William Field who enlisted in 1914 aged 17 and 18, the elder sons of the family of seven of Thomas and Alice Field, of Friars Road Winchelsea.

Also remembered are the many soldiers who were billeted in the Town from other parts of the UK and overseas. The ten who paid the ultimate sacrifice are commemorated with their official Commonwealth War Graves Commission certificates and separately a brief synopsis of their lives.

At sunset (8:38pm) on Monday a bugler will sound the ‘Last Post’ at the War Memorial as a tribute to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who fell in defence of their country.

This will be followed by a Reflective Service to be held in St Thomas’ Church from 8:45 to 9:30 and conducted by the Winchelsea rector Revd. Cannon Robin Whitehead.

Other communities and villages in the Rye area are also holding events this summer to mark the centenary.

They include church services and wreath layings.