War then and now

I am indebted to Russell Eastham for much of the information in this months article. Russell is currently training as a lay minister in the Church but has a keen interest in history. He has recently been researching the archives to find out more about the war memorial at Wadworth but has found a number of interesting facts.

Russell noted how one family had all their children baptised before daddy went off to war. Daddy did not return. Despite all the years in between, a different War, different circumstances, some wishes do not change and I have baptised several babies in the last few years before daddy has gone off to War in Iraq or Afghanistan; thankfully all these daddies returned. But the comfort daddies receive from the knowledge their children are baptised does not change.

Russell has also found the magazine from when War broke out in 1914. Revd  Blumhardt, wrote:

“The Great War cloud that for years past has hung over Europe has burst, and the whole world stands aghast at the horror and infamy of it all.  This is not a time for words, except for those addressed to God in prayer. Every Wednesday a short service will be held at 2pm, this hour has been fixed as most suitable for the women. The men must work in the fields and in the pits, the women must pray, the women must work too and they have begun in earnest.”

A latter magazine gave the following Church announcements:

1.      Role of Honour with list of names

2.      Injured with List of names

3.      The Ladies Knitting circle will meet in the vicarage on Wednesday night at 7 o clock.

What ever happened the knitting circle continued to meet, (actually they were knitting socks for the war effort).

Russell also went this year out to France for the 95^th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme to participate in the remembrance events. At one service 2000 people joined hands and the Lord’s prayer was said in three languages. Russell said:

“The many French were first, then those from the UK, finally a single German voice prayed.  Many hairs stood to attention on the backs of necks”

It is easy to forget “the other side” in all the suffering and the fact that the Germans thought God was on their side. Each German buckle contained the phrase “God is with us”. If God is anywhere in War, God is with the suffering, the displaced, the landless.

Through the information Russell has gathered we hope to have a small temporary display in church about the War memorial in Wadworth and how it was commissioned and built. Russell is hopeful that he can identify where all those remembered died and are buried. Perhaps some of your relatives were involved. Perhaps you have some information passed on to you by members of your family. We would love to know what you know.

I know no better way to end but with…

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them. Amen”