The Centenary of the Armistice
In November 2018 Haughton joined in with the nationwide commemorations to mark the end of the First World War
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.
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-
Waiting for the first arrivals -
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-
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-
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
After the event
The great-
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-
If you have any comments or questions about this page please contact the Clerk to
Haughton Parish Council at clerk@haughtonpc-