Tribute to Gordon to be planted by MP in special garden
MP for Bosworth, Dr Luke Evans, has dedicated a Remembrance tribute to local war veteran Gordon Bennett, ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 14.
Dr Luke will plant the tribute in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament, where each MP has been invited to dedicate a tribute.
The creation of a garden is the first time all 650 constituencies have been represented at one time in Parliament for Remembrance Day, to help mark 100 years since the formation of the Royal British Legion (RBL). Having heard of Gordon’s remarkable experiences through the Royal British Legion, Dr Luke wanted to recognise Gordon as a symbol of our community’s service and sacrifice during the World Wars.
Dr Luke recently met Gordon in Hinckley to discuss the Remembrance Day tribute, and was lucky enough to hear about some of Gordon’s experiences in the war.
Gordon was born on London Road, Hinckley on the 26 January 1926. Having gone to school in Burbage, Mr Bennett joined the army when he was 18, in 1944. Whilst serving in Belgium with the Leicester Regiments 1st Battalion, Gordon survived being shot in chest and was evacuated to an American Military hospital.
After being demobbed in 1947, Gordon returned to Hinckley, and went on a date to the pictures with Barbara, a local girl who Gordon had known since they were children. This date started a relationship which would last an extraordinary seventy years. Gordon has recently been awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, the highest French order of merit.
On Monday 8 November, Dr Luke will plant a tribute in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance, dedicated to Gordon Bennett and his service, as a symbol of the community’s service.
On Sunday 14 November, Dr Luke will attend the Remembrance Sunday service in Market Bosworth and lay a wreath, having attended a scaled-back ceremony in Hinckley last year. Ahead of Remembrance Day, Dr Luke will also visit the war memorials in Hinckley, Earl Shilton, and Barwell to lay wreaths.
Dr Luke said: “This year’s Remembrance commemorations are particularly poignant, as we mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion. The RBL have played such an important role since its formation, offering vital support to veterans for 100 years, and I’m honoured to be planting a dedication in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance this year, which celebrates the contribution the RBL have made, and represents all 650 constituencies in Parliament for the first time.
“I’m also so pleased to have discovered Gordon’s remarkable story, his experiences are a real testament to the courage and bravery of those who fought to protect us all.
“A huge thank you to Gordon and those in our community who fought for their service. It’s particularly important for future generations that we continue to remember and honour the sacrifices which were made for the freedoms which we enjoy today. They will never be forgotten.”
Remembrance Sunday takes place on the 14 November this year, and more information can be found at: www.britishlegion.org.uk.