About 50 people from Rye travelled to Belgium on September 2 for a centenary remembrance visit to the Ypres Salient to consider the opening battles of World War 1. The trip was organised by Colonel Anthony Kimber, president of Rye Royal British Legion.
After a full day visiting key areas at which battles took place, and a service at Saint George’s Memorial Church in Ypres led by Canon Hugh Mosley, the culmination was Rye delegation’s central role at the 8pm Menin Gate Last Post ceremony. The Mayor of Rye Bernadette Fiddimore, Col Kimber, Neale East, chairman of Rye British Legion, and standard bearer Paul Whiteman led the 5,000 or so participants at the moving ceremony.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of Rye, the British Legion, Sir Reginald Blomfield (of Rye and architect of the Menin Gate) and Guardsman Frederick Heasman, 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards from Eagle Road, Rye, who was killed as his unit took part in action to block the German advance near Langemark, Belgium.
A number of members of the group also paid their own respects to members of their families. Liz Bamji marked the grave of her great-great uncle Arthur Millard, Tank Corps, at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery on the Menin Road near Ypres; and Louise Whiteman laid a wreath for Paul Whiteman’s great uncle Charles Herbert Scott who died on August 10 1917 during the battle for Westhoek Ridge.
Councillor Fiddimore said she was very proud to be with these men on the day, and that the visit was, so far, the highlight of her mayoral office.
Rye British Legion is working on a Roll of Honour project to be published on its website in November to commemorate Rye’s fallen in WW1. The work will include names, family history, where they lived, worked and served.
Neale East is chairman and secretary of Rye Royal British Legion