Local News: Re-dedicating Ourselves To Their Memory

Local LibDems joined with residents to attend the rededication service for the Woolhampton War memorial  on Saturday 29th June.

The 17ft memorial bears the names of 15 men who died from 1914-18, and 5 more who died in the 1939-45 war.

It bears the inscription "They passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice."

The octagonal cross in Doulting stone had come into disrepair and required cleaning to ensure the names weren't lost, as the parish gears up for the centenary of the outbreak of war.

The service fittingly recreated the original dedication made on 16th March 1921, when Brigadier-General Phipps Hornby gave an address.

In it he exhorted attendees to remember the names made 'immortal', but not forget the heroism of survivors who must fulfil the obligation to maintain the hard-won happiness brought by peace.

Local resident Mansell Oakes gave a similarly well-recieved speech before Rev. Becky Bevan reiterated the Blessing and the ceremony was appropriately brought to a close by Beenham bugler Simon Whitcombe with the sounding of The Reveille.

Aldermaston ward campaigner James Spackman commented,

"It's only through the memory of those who served and made sacrifices that we can understand the reasons and causes of such terrible and traumatic events. We must honour them to ensure that the promise 'Never Again' is upheld."