WWl , Church Commemoration.

[Viktoria]

It was decided today that we ought to do something special to mark the 100 th anniversary.
We have been  asked to lend any material we have,photographs etc for two weeks.Medals etc will be put in the safe overnight.
I was seeking inspiration,we have a lovely stained glass window in memory of s young man aged 19 ,killed September 9th 1916,at Delville Wood
at the Southern end of the main site of the Somme,across the road to Albert.
He was Percy Turnbull, of the hereabouts well known family who were in business with Stockdales.
Turnbull and Stockdale.
Sadly gone the way of many textile firms.
We ought to get in touch if possible,I will have to look into that.

But any ideas,as yet we do not know what exactly there is to display.
I thought RootsChatters may have some brilliant ideas,they usually do.
Thanks in advance.

Viktoria.

[philipsearching]

I have just presented something to my local church which can be displayed and kept permanently.

It's a folder containing one-page mini-biographies for every name on the Roll of Honour (quoting sources such as parish records, censuses, newspapers, medal rolls, war diaries etc).

To be fair, it doesn't have much visual impact, but it does (I hope!) give a sense that these were real people who lived, loved, worked, played, worshipped, served and sacrificed.

Would that be an idea you would be interested in?

(if yes, and if I can help, send me a p.m. - I have some free time to help)

Philip

[Nanna52]

I think that is a lovely idea Philip.  So many are just names long forgotten, but that will help keep them alive in memory.

[Maiden Stone]

Turnbull & Stockdale Printworks
War Memorials Register, Imperial War Museums.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/18739

Memorial type: Roll of honour or book of remembrance
Town: Rawtenstall
District: Rossendale
County: Lancashire
Commemoration: First World War (1914-1918)
Description: Illuminated address
Current location: Rossendale Museum, Rawtenstall
Previous location: Rosebank Printworks, Stubbins

There's no illustration of it in Imperial War Museum's online catalogue.

I was pleased to see Turnbull lives on in Turnbull design archive online. It's a design and consultancy service for historic fabrics & furnishings and for films, tv and media.

[BumbleB]

Just a thought - not sure how many people you have to commemorate.

If you know the names of those who died, then you could download a Commemorative certificate for each of them, and display them in the church - from www.cwgc.org

[aghadowey]

Not sure how many names would be involved in your church but our local parish church had people stand up and say the name for each of the soldiers from the Roll of Honour. In many cases it was a close (or distant) connection of the soldier who recited the name.

[Rhododendron]

Just what I am doing for our Church, Philip.  Though probably not as thorough as the ones you have done.

[Viktoria]

Thankyou all so much,lots of lovely ideas there.
I will speak to Rawtenstall museum ,perhaps I could get a copy of the page where Percy Turnbull ‘s name is entered.
I did look up the firm who were at Rosebank Works ,on the banks of the Irwell but they were listed as closed.
The Turnbull ‘s lived in a lovely house “Fernclough”, just above the river on the other side.
I will be in Belgium for 11th Nov, but will be back for the second Sunday.
I think if the names were read out during the Sevice on Sunday 11th Nov
it would be really fitting.
We have been struggling for about four years to get a memorial with all the names of the men from our town who were killed (in both wars and all the other conflicts since -Korea for eg)at the moment there is a cross but no names are on it.
Whatever the hold ups are it is disgraceful. it really ought to have been in place for this hundredth anniversary.


A young reporter ( and much more) did such a presentation at the Church in a nearby village,the photographs were projected on a blank wall and their names read out and if known the date and place of their deaths.
It was really personal.The school Headmaster had kept in touch with all “his boys”and wrote to each one regularly throughout their service.
His letters for the most part had survived and there were copies in the school archives and of course originals held by families.
A poppy spray was attached to the door or gate of their homes ,and we walked through the village where there had been very few houses demolished,so most stil remained.In such a small place the percentage of lads lost to overall number of inhabitants was very high .
Imagine that in Accrington,after the first day of the Somme.
This idea was only aired yesterday at the end of the service so not much time ,so it was decided any artifacts would be welcome whether they pertain soldiers of our town or not.
I will get in touch with the person who has taken on the task and air your lovely ideas with her.
There will therefore be a general commemoration,which will include”our lads”
amongst all who served.
Thanks again to you all.
Viktoria.

[Maiden Stone]

The church nearest my home is holding a vigil on Saturday 10th and a children's service earlier.
The congregation has provided several hundred knitted or crocheted poppies for the town hall commemorative display.