The Centenary of the Armistice

In November 2018 Haughton joined in with the nationwide commemorations to mark the end of the First World War

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During the four year period of commemorations to mark the centenary of the First World War, Haughton’s War Memorial was cleaned, with the aid of grants, and was also awarded Grade II listed status.  This photograph was taken in February 2017 just before the final load of chippings was put around the base.  

 

In the summer of 2018 Haughton Parish Council made a successful bid to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and was awarded four There But Not There silhouettes which would form the centrepiece of an event designed to bring the community and members of the Armed Forces together.  Plans were drawn up for an informal meet and chat event, based around refreshments, a digital presentation of images and the opportunity to leave a remembrance of family or friends lost in conflicts.  It was decided to hold the event, Haughton Remembers, on Saturday November 3rd at Haughton Village Hall.

Event Poster

When the silhouettes arrived we were eager to see how one would look seated by a table at the Village Hall

Invitations were sent out and accepted, donations of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits were made by the people of Haughton and several people responded to a request for pictures of First World War soldiers, their memorials and memorabilia.  The digital presentation made possible by these donations also included images from later conflicts and of today’s Armed Forces.  The principal guest was Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Brigadier Barry Smith CBE TD DL.  Also present were Sir William Cash MP, Cllr Mark Winnington (SCC), Cllr Ray Sutherland (SBC), veterans, including Norman Williams, Légion d’honneur, members of today’s Armed Forces from RAF Cosford and 22 Signals, MOD Stafford, Gnosall and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, two great-nieces of the Redfern brothers (commemorated on the War Memorial) and many members of the community of Haughton.

Waiting for the first arrivals - a tempting first offering of cakes is ready

This box was available for people to leave remembrances of fallen family and friends

A representative from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, came along to raise awareness of the need to support the veterans of today

Our silent soldiers are seated at their table, waiting for people to arrive

The church Sunday School contributed this beautiful display of poppies, wreaths, stained glass and tributes

The Gnosall and District Branch of the Royal British Legion brought with them poppies and an interesting display of local First World War history

The event, which ran from 10.30-12.30, was soon underway, with the community and the Armed Forces meeting and mixing over drinks and cake

Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Brigadier Barry Smith CBE TD DL meets Second World War veteran Norman Williams, holder of the Légion d’honneur

There But Not There

Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Brigadier Barry Smith CBE TD DL meets Norma Williamson (left) from North Staffordshire and Lorraine Hunt (right) from Norfolk, great-nieces of the three Redfern brothers who lost their lives in the Great War and are commemorated on Haughton’s War Memorial

As the event draws to a close Staff Sergeant Nessling (left) and Staff Sergeant Vaughan (right) of 22 Signals take the opportunity to chat with Norman Williams about life in the Armed Forces, then and now, and a Haughton resident has a last look at the digital presentation of images which ran throughout the event

With thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for awarding Haughton Parish Council the grant which made this event possible

The Remembrances of the People of Haughton

After the event

The great-nieces of Alfred Redfern DCM, John George Redfern and William Gordon Redfern laid a wreath in their uncles’ memory on the War Memorial

The silhouettes moved to the church to await the Remembrance Day service

Sunday November 11th

 

The Service of Remembrance began at the War Memorial, with the laying of the wreaths, prayers, and two minutes silence at eleven o’clock, followed by a service in the Church of St Giles.  No photographs were taken at these services, but many people attended and the sun shone through the church windows on to the edges of our silent soldiers and made them shine.  Haughton Bellringers, who had called people to Haughton Remembers at the start of our commemorations, later joined in the nationwide ringing of bells with a special peal.

Although the stated aims of Haughton Remembers did not include fund-raising, thanks to the generosity of the people who attended the event, Gnosall and District Branch of the Royal British Legion raised £262 for the 2018 Poppy Appeal

If you have any comments or questions about this page please contact the Clerk to Haughton Parish Council at clerk@haughtonpc-staffs.org.uk