Verwood residents turned out in force today (Monday 4 August) to commemorate the start of the WW1.
Civic leaders, representatives of community groups and parents and children gathered on Ferrett Green at 11am to mark the occasion. The Union and Dorset Flags were raised on two new flag poles at the War Memorial followed by a short service conducted by Rev Julian Macro from the United Reformed Church.
Two standard bearers were in attendance, Roy Slade, from Verwood branch and Norman Pearce, representing Dorset County. Verwood Concert Brass accompanied the National Anthem.
The Mayor Councillor Pat Morrow paid tribute to those who fought for their country 100 years ago adding: “If we hadn’t gone to war 100 years ago,we wouldn’t be living in with the peace and freedom we have now.”
She added that Verwood families were torn apart by the war and thanked them for their sacrifice. “It is right to commemorate the soldiers and the families bravery.”
She explained that a debt of gratitude is owed to all those who go to war.
Verwood Concert Brass bugler, Sophie Howes, sounded the Last Post and the flags were lowered to half-mast.
Those attending the commemoration were then invited over to the Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground which had been purchased by public subscription in 1920 as a memorial to local men who fell in the Great War. A plaque was unveiled by the Mayor and Dennis Wright, President of the Verwood Branch and County Vice Chairman of the RBL, rededicating the area to those servicemen.
The new memorial plaque, l-r Roy Slade, the Mayor, Dennis Wright, Rev Macro and Norman Pearce
