 | 16 December 2009 Accessibility help Text only |
|
|
| BBC Homepage | | |
| |||
| Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend! | | |
Local HistoryYou are in: Essex > History > Local History > Chelmsford soldiers remembered  Wreaths in the back of the BBC Essex car Chelmsford soldiers rememberedRichard Martin BBC Essex reporter Richard Martin travelled to the Somme in France with Simon Moston, Andy Begent, and his brother Aidy Begent as they took a journey of remembrance for some of Chelmsford's fallen soldiers. Boy First Class Ernest John Rogers – stoker on the HMS Hawke – torpedoed on the North Sea, 15, October 1918.  War graves from the Somme battlefield Private William Mortlock, Northamptonshire Regiment, killed in action in France, 14, March 1916. Two men killed in the First World War, two of the multitude. But these two hold a particularly sad record. At 16 they were the two youngest men from Colchester to be killed in the fighting. On the 90th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which brought an end to the war on the Western Front, Colchester paid special tribute to these two naval cadets from the town. They were both no older than the two boys laying wreaths in their memory.  Richard, Andy, Simon and Aidy by graves This event was the start of a story which would see these poppy wreaths, and others laid in Colchester and Chelmsford, make their way to sites where their significance would take on a new meaning. Some went to France, others to national memorials in this country, places where the names they carry hold a special relevance. In the garage of Chelmsford resident Simon Moston piles of blood-red poppies sit ready for the next stage of their journey. For Simon, the Somme has become his passion. Through careful research and exploration of the region he’s gained a greater understanding of events and the history of the conflict. Simon feels the responsibility is totally outweighed by the honour of adding to the remembrance of others and helping to complete a cycle in which the acts of people in the county are connected to history. I joined Simon on one of his trips to the Somme region of France, where he visited some of the battlefields and graves of soldiers.  Wreaths from Chelmsford on war graves Also on the trip was Andy Begent, a Chelmsford historian researching the 359 men from the town who are remembered on the town’s war memorial from the First World War. For Andy it was a chance to learn more about the men who, at the beginning of his research, were little more than a list of names. His work led him to census results, newspaper clippings and other pieces of information which begins to bring these men to life. For a town a fifth of the size it is now the cost paid by the borough is all but unimaginable to new generations. The story of South Primrose Hill, a street still with many of the early 20th century houses and features, goes some way to putting this in perspective.  Map of South Primrose Hill in Chelmsford Of the 84 houses, 20 men would be lost in the conflict. Simon Moston believes learning about the First World War helps us to understand the reality of life then, and to bring a fresh approach to Remembrance Day in November. And at the centre of all this would be the people who had left their tributes on Essex’s memorials… And they wouldn’t even know what was happening. last updated: 22/07/2009 at 09:11 Have Your Say
Sean
David C
John constable
Andrew - Melbourne Ave SEE ALSOYou are in: Essex > History > Local History > Chelmsford soldiers remembered |
| | About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy |
