Memorial to soldier is recognised
Our weekly look back at days gone by, with Abby Bolter
ON Friday, November 18, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) hosted an event at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey to mark the end of the centenary of the 141 days of the Battle of the Somme, writes Ceri Joseph, secretary of Porthcawl Museum and Historical Society.
Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is the CWGCs vice-chairman, was joined by a host of community groups who took part in the Commission’s Living Memory Project, which encouraged the people of the UK to rediscover their war heritage and remember those who gave their lives.
In partnership with the Big Ideas Company, and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the aim of the Living Memory Project was to raise awareness of the 300,000 war graves and memorials in the UK and encourage community groups to discover, explore and remember their First and Second World War heritage.
The challenge set was to mark the 141 days of the Somme Campaign to encourage 141 groups to hold 141 events.
Consequently, an amazing 260 groups held events, of which 19 were presented with CWGC Champion Certificates in recognition of their contribution to the project.
Paul Joseph, chairman of Porthcawl Museum, on behalf of the museum, was honoured to receive this prestigious award for the service held on August 24 to commemorate the centenary of the death of Private John Campbell, 5th Cameron Highlanders, who is buried in St John’s Church, Newton, Porthcawl.
Private Campbell had been wounded at the Somme, transferred to Cardiff’s 3rd General Hospital and eventually to The Rest Home, Porthcawl, to convalesce.
Tragically, the day before he was found drowned, he had been told that he was fit to return to the Somme battlefield.
Studying the inquest, you cannot fail to note the tragic effect of shell-shock.
Colin Kerr, director of external relations for CWGC, said that the Living Memory Project has proved that you don’t need to travel to the Western Front to pay your respects.
Porthcawl Museum would like to thank the Porthcawl Branch of the British Legion for their support in August and member Elaine Newman.