Village hosts annual service honouring wartime connections

A commemorative service has been held at the Church of St John in Sutton Veny to mark Anzac Day, reflecting the village’s long connection with Australian and New Zealand service personnel.

Members of the Royal Commonwealth Society joined the West Country Britain-Australian Society for the service, which honours those from Australia and New Zealand who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

 

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During the First World War, hundreds of soldiers and nurses from Australia and New Zealand were based in the village so they could be close to training on Salisbury Plain as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. When the war ended in 1918, many died during the Spanish Flu pandemic and were buried in the churchyard next to the village school, where they continue to be honoured.

Members were joined by veterans of several conflicts and representatives from the High Commission in London and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The service was led by the Right Reverend Dr Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury.

“A wreath was laid on behalf of the branch by Captain John Ledgister,” said chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society Bath and District Branch, Godfrey Hall.

“The service was preceded by an excellent lunch at the officers’ mess at Warminster which was attended by around 30 members of various organisations. After the service and the laying of wreaths, members of the congregation joined together at a splendid tea in the village hall next door to the church.”

Pictured below: Captain John Ledgister laying a wreath