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Sandbag – Wincanton RBL Newsletter for March 2014

Monday 24 March 2014, 19:30
By Arthur Pickup

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Summary

Peter Sherry

Peter SherryOur stalwart and supporter Peter Sherry passed away last month and several members formed an Honour Guard at his funeral on 17th February. As well as being greatly admired, Peter was much loved by many at the branch and his passing is a great loss. He always turned up to help with selling poppies and was present at all of our parades.

Peter saw active service with the Royal Signals during World War Two as a motor cycle dispatch rider. Peter was present at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, during the D-Day landings and delivered what was probably the first dispatch that Lord Lovatt (who commanded the relieving troops at the bridge) received.

Ros Wilkins retires as OC 2277 Squadron ATC

Wincanton branch is affiliated with 2277 Squadron ATC. We have had their constant support under OC Ros Wilkins for many years. Due to her many other commitments Ros has now retired as commanding officer and we wish her well.

Ros Wilkins

Commemorating the crash of the RAF Dakota near the old Zeals airfield

On 19th February 1945, a Dakota aircraft, serial number TS436, was attempting a take-off from RAF Zeals, not far from Stourhead Estate, at an area known as Beech Clump. The crash was attributed to "pilot error" and ironically only the pilot, Flt/Lt. M. Mackay RAF DFC, survived. On board were 20 Royal Air Force personnel.

On 19th February last, Arthur Pickup and Peter Cox attended the 69th anniversary commemoration at the memorial plaque and paid respects on behalf of the branch.

Dakota TS436 Memorial

Old Faithful 70th anniversary commemoration

The parade and main commemoration will take place on Sunday 22nd June. On that day we will assemble at Carrington Way car park at 1.45pm for a march off to the Memorial Hall at 2.00pm. A religious service will then take place around the War Memorial, which will finish at approximately 2.50pm and then at 3.00pm Wincanton Silver Band will be holding a commemoration concert in the Memorial Hall.

We will observe prayers at Bayford Hill on 25th June and this will take place at 11am as usual.

These months of February & March during the Great War

Over the next four years our minds will be focused on the 100th anniversary events of the Great War, a war which greatly affected Wincanton. It was during February and March on different years of the war that two families in the town learnt of the tragic loss of their sons.

Harold Grant-Dalton was born on 10th March 1890 in Churchfield, Wincanton. He served with the Royal Naval Brigade, Hood Battalion. Harold was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous "gallantry and resource". His citation reads, "When all the officers of his company had become casualties he assumed the command and by his bravery and personal example was able successfully to defend an exposed piece of the line". He was taken as a prisoner of war and admitted to the German War Hospital at Ohrdruf south of Gotha, Germany. He had sustained gunshot wounds to the pelvis and died of his wound at 10.00pm on 24th March 1918.

Harold Davis was born in June 1891 in Wincanton. In March 1910 he joined the regular Army in the East Surrey Regiment. The East Surrey Regiment landed at Le Havre on 19 January 1915 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck.

From their arrival until 13th February 1915 they undertook extensive training and moving of supplies to the front line south of Ypres in Belgian Flanders. On 14th February the battalion moved out for their first action against the enemy to attack and capture a lost trench. Vicious fighting took place which resulted in 8 killed, 106 wounded and 37 missing. Harold was one of those killed; his body was never found.

Forthcoming branch meetings 7.00pm at the Wincanton Memorial Hall
14th April
19th May

Editor Tony Goddard
01963-824193
Secretary Arthur Pickup
01963-32952

 


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