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New WW2 Plaque for Church - UPDATE

Report from the Royal British Legion, Longhope and District Branch

It was a warm and sunny September day when we gathered in Longhope Church to dedicate the new memorial plaque. Previously, alongside the intricately carved plaque to the memory of the men who died in the Great War, was a small picture frame, with the names of the men lost in conflict since then, written on a sheet of paper. Peter Walwin generously gave of his talents and time and carved a beautiful new plaque to go in the church with the names and decorated with poppies.

Rev Chris Sterry led a lovely service to a full church, ending with The Last Post, Silence, Reveille and The Kohima Epitaph. We then gathered in the Latchen Rooms for a buffet lunch.

Alongside members of the congregation and The Royal British Legion were members of the families of all the men who gave their lives. The Beard family were well represented, as were the Townsends (Charles Worner married Betty Townsend); Jim Wright’s son Bernard flew over from Spain especially to attend; Lawrence Lloyd’s siblings attended from Nottinghamshire (and met invited members of the Baptist Church congregation); Margaret Pringle-Nicholson (now Cairns-Terry) attended with her son; Ken Wright’s nephews attended; and Callum Lane and his Aunt drove down from Scotland to attend.

I would like to thank everyone who helped out previous to the day or on the day itself; Tony Haile, Harold Gurney and Chris Phelps who persevered painting the wall; Anne Corbitt who restored the Great War plaque; Peter Walwin; Gail Jones who snapped away with her camera; Pauline’s Kitchen for the catering; the members of the church congregation who made the church look beautiful; Chris Sterry ; and especially Ian Corbitt who organised us all.

Alfred H. J. Beard, Army Air Corps
Lawrence W. H. Lloyd, RAFVR
Reginald J. W. Pringle-Nicholson, Royal Navy
Charles E. M. Worner, RAFVR
James J. Wright, Royal Fusiliers
Kenneth L. Wright, Gloucestershire Regiment
Alistair R. Lane, Royal Military Police

"When you go home, tell them of us and say For your tomorrow, we gave our today."

Please note the Remembrance Day service this year is at Longhope Church on Sunday 10th November.

Jo Phelps jophelps94@yahoo.co.uk

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The Royal British Legion have a plaque carved by Peter Walwin (generously donated ) which has on it the names of the men killed in WW2 from the village, and one killed in Northern Ireland in 1973. It is being dedicated at Longhope Church where it will be on the wall next to the WW1 one, at 11am on Sunday 22nd September. Jo Phelps has managed to tracked down all the families of the men named on the plaque and they will all be attending, with guests. Afterwards the Royal British Legion will be hosting a small reception at The Latchen Rooms with food and drinks. Anyone who remembers the families of the men, or who want to show their support, would be very welcome to come along. The men are:

Lance Corporal Alfred H. J. Beard, Army Air Corps

Leading Aircraftsman Lawrence W. H. Lloyd, RAFVR

Lieutenant Commander Reginald W Pringle-Nicholson, Royal Navy

Pilot Officer Charles E M Worner, RAFVR

Fusilier James J Wright, Royal Fusiliers

Private Kenneth L Wright, Gloucestershire Regiment

Sergeant Alistair R Lane, Royal Military Police