Tuesday 9 September 2014
Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning at Upchurch Village Hall
Click to watch Video.
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Monday 8 September 2014
Village Turns Out in Tribute to its WWI Heroes
Visitors from Upchurch and Lower Halstow attended the
WWI Commemoration Weekend
organised by Newington History Group.
Thelma Dudley, Dean Coles and Debbie Haigh of Newington History Group who researched the Book of Remembrance. |
Villagers and dignitaries gather around the Memorial Cross for its re-dedication exactly 95 years to the hour after it was unveiled. |
Wreaths and remembrance crosses laid at the memorial during the commemoration service on Sunday. |
The Book of Remembrance to the Newington men who fought in the Great War. |
Pictures courtesy of Graham Dudley and Reverend Ron Partridge.
Exactly 95 years to the hour after the unveiling of their Memorial Cross, more than 300 Newington villagers and visitors crowded around the monument to remember their World War One dead on Sunday.
It was the
culmination of a WWI Commemoration weekend organised by Newington History Group
(NHG) at the Sittingbourne village’s parish church.
The Bishop of Dover,
the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, re-dedicated the memorial and Sgt Ricky Stephenson,
of the Royal Engineers, read the address originally given at the 1919 service
by Brig-Gen Hugh Adair.
The names of 31
Newington men killed in WWI were read out by Dean Coles, chairman of NHG, and The Exhortation was read by Tim Phipps,
a descendant of several enlisted villagers who survived the war. Wreaths were
laid by WWI victim Frederick Lloyd’s niece Maisie, the Royal British Legion and
parish council, while children from Newington primary school laid posies.
Uniformed members of
the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Living History Group presented arms and Mark
Hinchliffe sounded The Last Post.
Among those in
attendance were: the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Richard Oldfield; the MP for
Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Gordon Henderson; the Mayor of Swale, Cllr George
Bobbin; Maj Simon Dean, of the Kent Army Cadet Force and grandson of Donald
Dean, VC, from Sittingbourne; Susan Featherstone, of the Imperial War Museum, representatives
of the Royal Engineers, the Royal British Legion and county, borough and parish
councillors.
Earlier, during a
commemoration service, the Bishop had received and blessed a Book of
Remembrance detailing the lives of the Fallen and some of the 130 troops who
returned to the village. The unique book, researched and produced by NHG, will
go on permanent display in the church.
Hundreds of visitors
also attended the other weekend events that included displays and exhibitions
detailing the group’s two years of research, information about Newington’s role
in the frontline of Britain’s WWI defences, and descriptions of what it was like
living in a Kent village in 1914.
There were themed
music, film, poetry and floral display events, with performances by the UK
Paper brass band and Newington Concert Party.
Mr Coles said: “The
weekend was a fitting commemoration to our villagers who fought and died in the
war. There has been huge interest. In particular, it was noticeable how many
children were engaged and enthused by the exhibitions and hearing about the
bravery of ordinary men – many in their teens – who gave their lives.”
During Sunday’s service, members of the Queen’s Own Buffs discovered
that Private Edward Carver, of the East Kent Regiment, The Buffs, who died in
November 1918, is buried in Newington churchyard.
Later, they gathered
at his grave in tribute and Jack Jarrett, chairman of the Queen’s Own Buffs in
Sittingbourne, laid a wreath on behalf of the regiment.
For more information contact Richard Thompstone: 01795 842405 / 07896412427
For more information contact Richard Thompstone: 01795 842405 / 07896412427
Email: sepr@hotmail.co.uk
Richard Thompstone
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Saturday 6 September 2014
The First Upchurch Soldier Killed in World War 1 by David Wood
Thomas Henry Anderson is commemorated on a plaque inside St. Mary's Church. |
Originally born in Chatham, Thomas Henry Anderson lived in Chatham, Rainham and Upchurch during the period leading up to 1914, working as a butcher’s assistant before joining the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. His first military experience took place in India which formed part of the British Empire and while serving there he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal in 1911 to commemorate King George V’s coronation celebrations in India.
After completing his posting in India he returned to England where he was stationed at Portsmouth but with the outbreak of war in July 1914 it wasn’t long before he found himself sailing to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force made up entirely of professional soldiers under the command of General Sir John French. As a member of the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers he disembarked at Le Havre in France before being transported inland by train to Landrecies.
According to the regimental history of the Northumberland Fusiliers, on 21st August Thomas Anderson’s regiment marched towards Mons where the 1st Battalion took a position on the Mons Condé Canal while the French were fighting the Germans at the battle of Charleroi on the right of the British Expeditionary Force. The British aim was to hold a line along the Mons-Condé Canal for 24 hours to prevent the advancing Germans from threatening the French left flank. When the battle began the British inflicted heavy casualties on the German side but with the retreat of the French Fifth Army which exposed the British right flank to numerically superior German forces a retreat was ordered.
The Northumberland Fusiliers Memorial "The Response" |
David Wood. |
Thomas Anderson became the first Upchurch and Rainham serviceman to be killed in the conflict while 33 others from the village suffered the same fate in the Great War of 1914-1918.
About David:
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood.
spaceWednesday 3 September 2014
Celebrating 20 Years at The Crown
Free Hog Roast. |
With over 30 years in the game, Jim certainly knows how to get a Party started! |
Come along and help Annmarie celebrate 20 years in the Pub.
On Saturday the 4th of October - from 7:00pm.
Jim Lindsay (Black Pepper Roadshow) will be doing a Disco outside in the Marquee... if weather permits (otherwise inside).
There will be a Hog Roast too!
Annmarie
Telephone: 01634 233896
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Tuesday 2 September 2014
Bogus Callers - Your Guide to Crime Prevention
Following reports of Bogus Callers offering gardening services to two residents in Church Farm Road and the local area.
Here is some useful information produced by Kent Police.
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