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The 100 group have worked tirelessly over the last year to organise a packed programme of commemorative events for the centenary. We have been helped to put these events together by so many wonderful businesses, and would like to thank Abbotsfield Funeral Directors, Steele & Stovell, Take Us Touring, The Hope and Anchor, Ross Ramblers, The Royal Hotel and The Ross Gazette for all of their support. We are also extremely grateful to The Heritage Lottery, Newgrove Farm Trust and Ross Town Council for sponsorship that has enabled us to fund many of this year’s exciting projects.We hope that you are able to come along to support our events, and that you will join us in commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War One.Graham AplinChairman, Ross Branch RBL

www.steeleandstovell.co.uk01989 485 119

Members of The 100 Group and Ross RBL

Welcome

Ross Remembers is run by members of the 100 Group, a team of people passionate about making sure that the 100th anniversary of World War One is properly commemorated in Ross-on-Wye. Ross Remembers events will be held throughout the whole of the anniversary, from 2014 - 2018, and all events aim to educate the public about life during the war, remember those who were lost, and raise as much money as possible for the Poppy Appeal. The Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign. This year they are focusing on the range of work they do to support Armed Forces families, whether they are families of Veterans, personnel on active service, or those currently in transition from military to civilian life.You can find out how to support the Royal British Legion at www.britishlegion.org.uk

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events8. Ross Remembers Weekend14. Phoenix Film Festival16. Veterans Tea Party22. Diary of Events24. Honour Walk30. Battlefield Tour34. Poppy Concert

10. Make Do and Mend13. The Christmas Truce

19. Peace Babies20. The Royal British

Legion26. A Long Journey

28. Rationed Britain33. They Still Live On

37. Shop39. A Tale of Two Brothers

40. Dig for Victory42. Town Map

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‘Visit, Understand, Never Forget’ are our watchwords for why we should all go on a battlefield tour at least once.There’s no better time to do this than in 2014 as we commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of World War 1 and 70 years since D-Day, Arnhem and the Battle of the Bulge. Miles Morgan Travel have teamed up with Leger Holidays, who are the UK’s leading battlefields tour operator, and offer tours with the convenience of a pick up in Ross-on-Wye.Thanks to their expert, Specialist Guides who accompany every tour – you won’t be bombarded with a stream of historical facts and figures. Rather, through their enthusiasm, knowledge and sensitivity, you’ll embark on a fascinating journey of remembrance and discovery. Taking in a combination of battlefields, memorials and War Cem-eteries you’ll learn why battles were fought at particular locations and your guide will help you interpret the land-scape and look for signs of the battle evident today. Whatever your area of interest, their guides will make sure you get the most out of your visit.Contact Miles Morgan Travel at 12 Market Place, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5NU or call them on 01989 562555

VISIT. UNDERSTAND. NEVER FORGET.with Miles Morgan Travel

WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

WWIANNIVERSARY TOURSWITH TRANSPORT FROM ROSS-ON-WYE

www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk

12 Market PlaceRoss-on-Wye, HR9 5NU

Tel: 01989 562555

We have a selection of tours commemorating some of the signifi cant campaigns and battles from WWI, 100 years on, including a special

100th Anniversary Armistice tour in Ypres.

First Shots and the Battle of Mons 100 Years

First Battle of Ypres Centenary

4 day tour - Bed & Breakfast22 August 2014Specialist Battlefi eld GuideExecutive coach travel

Attend ceremonies around Mons for the centenary of the battle; taking place in the main square at Mons and at St. Symphorien Cemetery.

Prices from £319pp

5 day tour - Bed & Breakfast20th October 2014Specialist Battlefi eld GuideExecutive coach travel

Walk the graves at Ypres Town Cemetery, visit Messines and Zandvoorde. Also a visit to the newly-opened Messines Museum.

Prices from £419pp

Contact our Travel Specialists today for more information

Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Extras: optional excursions; entrance fees to museums and places of interest.

NOW OPEN

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The Rope Walk, Ross-on-Wye

Saturday 14th June11.11am - 6pm

FREE ENTRY

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For one very special day, the Rope Walk in Ross-on-Wye will be turned into a fascinating World War experience. Historians, the Military and the Cadets will be doing talks and presentations to teach you a bit about the war, and exhibits and memorabilia will help bring the era to life. The event will be officially opened by General Sir Peter De La Billiere at 11:11 am. There will be a Time Tunnel filled with hands on activities, a Dig for Victory Garden, a Vintage Marquee with tea served by the NAAFI Girls and much more.

11.11 am, Main FieldGeneral Sir Peter De La BilliereGeneral Sir Peter is a former British Army officer who was Director of the SAS during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. He will be officially opening the Ross Remembers Weekend at 11.11am.

All Day, Presentations TentThe Two World WarsOur presentations tent will be a hive of activity all day, with talks and performances that focus on the two World Wars. All talks are free, though spaces are limited. Please check the schedule outside the tent on the day for a full running order.

The Hope and AnchorTruce Football MatchRoss-on-Wye Juniors football team will be playing an exhibition match to commemorate the Christmas Truce.

All Day, Vintage TentFathers Day RibbonsThe 15th June is Fathers Day, and we will be remembering fallen fathers as well as giving thanks for those who are still with us. We will be making poppy ribbons to hang on a special garland, and you can add yours for £1.

Time TentInteractive ExhibitionDid you know that German soldiers used to sprinkle ashes on their food when they ran out of pepper to disguise the taste? Or that ‘coffee’ was made from nuts, tar and sugar in the trenches? You might learn a thing or two in our hands on exhibition.

Merchandise StallKids QuizThe kids could win one of three prizes if they can answer all of our quiz questions correctly. Collect a pack from the Ross Remembers Merchandise stall. £2.50 per pack.

Map from Google Maps

WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

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“During the war we had to make do and mend — that was the order of the day, and everything we had got in the wardrobe was kept there, we never threw anything away. I can remember when I was expecting my first bay I was wondering how I could get a christen-ing gown for her and I thought of my wedding dress, but I couldn’t bare to put the scissors into it. A few weeks later I went and had another look at it and thought as there was a war on I would have to use it. I got it out and cut a great big piece out of it to make the christening gown, which turned out

MAKE DO quite well. You see during the war most ladies wore skirts and blouses because a skirt only took about a yard of material, and if you bought a dress you would have to pay a lot more money for that. Some-times you would cut the top from a summer dress and use that as a top, but the majority of them had knitted jumpers and the wool was very important.Men’s shirts during the war and before the war were made of linen or cot-ton, they had loose collars, some had two collars and some had three, and after a time the collar would begin to fray and when all the collars had frayed we

used to throw the shirt away We couldn’t do that in the war, the shirt had got to be worn until it was threadbare. I used to unpick the collar, and I cut the tail off the shirt and was able to reface the col-lars and then they were like new again. With turn-ups on the trousers when they frayed, where they hit the boot, we would cut off the bottom of the trousers and turned it up slightly so that the frayed part was on the inside, the same with the cuffs on the shirts. It was amazing what we could do with what we had got and how we made do.”Winifred Barber

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With an array of stalls, music from the Penyard Singers and Ross Town Band, and lots to see and do - come and join us for a day of Remembrance.

From 11 am Market HouseRoss Town BandThe wonderful Ross Town Band will be playing music from the 1920’s to 1950’s, from popular music to classical pieces.

From 1 pm Market HouseThe Penyard SingersPerforming some of the nations favourite war-time songs, The Penyard Singers will be entertaining us from 1 pm.

All Day, Market HouseChannel Cycling ChallengeLocal man James Weatherhead will be cycling the width of the channel (22 miles) which is the journey all soldiers serving in WW1 and WW2 would have made when crossing into France. He will be raising money for the Poppy Appeal to help soldiers that have been recently injured, and the families of those who have been killed in action.James has set up a Just Giving page, but would also love your support on the day.

ROSS

SUNDAYThe Market Place, Ross-on-Wye

Sunday 15th June10 am - 4 pm

FREE ENTRY

REMEMBERS

www.justgiving.com/James-Weatherhead2

Restaurant with Rooms

Wilton LaneRoss on Wye

Herefordshire. HR9 6AQ

t: +44(0)1989 562569f: +44(0)1989 768460

e:info@wiltoncourthotel.comwww.wiltoncourthotel.com

Twitter - www.twitter.com/wiltoncourtFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/wiltoncourt Gold Star Award

Restaurant with Rooms

2014Why not book now and experience our multi award winning restaurant

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The Christmas truce was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, During the week leading up to Christmas, parties of Ger-man and British soldiers began to exchange sea-sonal greetings and songs between their trenches; on occasion, the tension was reduced to the point that individuals would walk across to talk to their opposite numbers bearing gifts. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many

TRUCECHRISTMAS

soldiers from both sides in-dependently ventured into “no man’s land”, where they mingled, exchanging food and souvenirs. As well as joint burial cere-monies, several meetings ended in carol-singing. Troops from both sides were also friendly enough to play games of football with one another.The truce is often seen as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity amidst one of the most violent events of human history. In 1916, after the unprecedented bloody

battles of the Somme and Verdun, and the begin-ning of widespread poison gas use, soldiers on both sides increasingly viewed the other side as less than human, and no more Christmas truces were sought.

We will be remembering the 1914 Christmas Truce with a football match at The Hope and Anchor on Saturday 14th June. Ross-on-Wye Juniors will play an exhibition game, and will be taught about the significance of the truce.

On Christmas Day 1914, the troops put down their weapons and went out into ‘no mans land’...

One of the most powerful anti-war statements ever put on film, this gut-wrenching story concerns a group of friends who join the Army during World War I and are assigned to the Western Front, where their fiery patriotism is quickly turned to horror and misery by the harsh realities of combat.

PHOENIX

FESTIVAL

Phoenix Theatre, Ross-on-Wye

Friday 11th July7 pm Onwards

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Tickets: £6.00available to buy from Rossiters Books or at www.rosscinema.com

Certificate: 12Duration: 2 hrs 14 mins

All Quiet on the Western Front

Five desperate French soldiers during The Battle of the Somme shoot themselves, either by accident or with purpose, in order to be invalided back home. Having been “caught” a court-martial convenes and determines punishment to be banishment to No Man’s Land with the objective of having the Germans finish them off.

Phoenix Theatre, Ross-on-Wye

Friday 19th September7 pm Onwards

Tickets: £6.00available to buy from Rossiters Books or at www.rosscinema.com

Certificate: 15Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins

A Very Long Engagement

WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

We would like veterans to join us for a very special afternoon tea party hosted by Ross Royal British Legion. With tea, sandwiches, cakes and music from the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir, it is sure to be a delightful event with many a story being shared.

The Larruperz, Ross-on-Wye

Sunday 27th July2.30 - 5.30 pm

Booking: To book please contact Margaret Jones on

01989 566301 or email us at rossremembers@outlook.com

VETERANS TEA PARTY

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Alan Keef LtdLIGHT RAILWAY ENGINEERS

AND LOCOMOTIVE BUILDERS

Tel: 01989 750757 Fax: 01989 750780

www.alankeef.co.uk

Remembering and Rebuilding the Past

WW1 Baldwin Locomotive no.778 Rebuilt in 2007

LogiplexLogiplex Computer Sales Computer Repairs Consumables Broadband Networks Support Printers

Recycle Refill

Save Money High Quality

Save Resources

REFILL - NOT LANDFILL

01989 769990www.logiplex.co.uk

!

PEACE BABIES

Originally known as Peace Babies, Jelly Babies were launched 75 Years ago by Bassett’s - one of Britain’s oldest sweets manufacturers - to celebrate the end of the first world war.Peace Babies were popular between the wars, but production ceased in the Second World War because of a shortage of raw materials. They came back in 1953, renamed Jelly Babies.

Did you know?

Tudor Sweets are bringing back the original Jelly Baby to commemorate the anniversary of the First World War and raise money for the Poppy Appeal. Vintage style bags and jars are available, and 15p from the sale of each bag will be donated to the Poppy Appeal.Rationing of sweets and chocolate began on 26 July 1942 and ended in September 1953.The de-rationing of sweets had a dramatic effect on the confectionery market. Spending on sweets and chocolate jumped by about £100m in the first year to £250m - a year which, according to the confectionery industry, was “as dynamic as any in the industry’s history”.Consumers in the UK now spend in excess of £5.5bn on confectionery each year.

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WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

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The Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading Armed Forces charity. They pro-vide practical, emotional and financial support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present, and their families.They actively campaign to improve their lives and safeguard the Military Covenant between the na-tion and its Armed Forces.They also organise the Poppy Appeal, run one of the UK’s largest member-ship organisations and are recognised as the nation’s custodian of Remem-brance. Their mission is to provide welfare, com-radeship, representation and Remembrance for the Armed Forces Commu-nity. Whether it’s families coping with the loss of a loved one, help at home to adapt to independent living, recovery centres for injured personnel, money and careers advice or

residential care: the Royal British Legion are there to help. Millions of people in the UK and around the world are eligible to access their welfare ser-vices and they aim to help the most in need. As the legacy of Afghanistan and Iraq combine with defence cuts, strains on public sector support and a peak in welfare demand from older veterans; the Ser-vice community is facing a perfect storm of health and welfare needs in the coming years. The Royal British Legion is there to support them. Each year the nation expresses its unequivocal support for The Royal Brit-ish Legion’s work through the Poppy Appeal. The Appeal is the Legion’s big-gest fundraising campaign and runs year-round. Lapel poppies are available to buy in shops, supermar-kets, pubs and clubs from

the last week of October until Remembrance Sunday, or 11 November, whichever is later in the calendar.It takes 350,000 volun-teers and staff to organise the Poppy Appeal each year. Money raised goes to support the RBL welfare work for the Armed Forc-es community.More than 40 million Remembrance poppies, 500,000 poppies of other types, 5 million Remem-brance petals, 100,000 wreaths and sprays, 750,000 Remembrance Crosses and other Re-membrance items are made at the Poppy Facto-ry each year.The 2012 Poppy Appeal raised an amazing £35 million. The target for the 2013 Appeal (October 2013 to September 2014) is £37 million.You can find out more at www.britishlegion.org.uk

The Royal British Legion is there to support all members of the British Armed Forces, past and present...

Visit us: Lea Garage Lea, Nr. Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire HR9 7JZ

www.davecampbellgarages.co.uk

Call us today 01989 751915 / 07716 365215

Excellent Quality Used Cars Professionally Prepared Vehicles HPI Checked • Part Exchanges Welcome • Warranties Available

Car & Commercial Vehicle Sourcing

MOT, Servicing & Repairs • Complimentary Collection & Delivery Service Courtesy Car Facility

....your first stop in Ross on Wye for ,

graphic design, printing, photography, lamination, encapsulation etc.

sign design and manufacture

e:signs@signshopuk.com www.signshopuk.com

m: 07813 071482 t: 01989 769300

THESIGN SHOP

established 1986

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HONOURWALKThe Prospect, Ross-on-Wye

Sunday 7th September11 am onwards

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Join us for a sponsored three mile walk to remember those on the Ross-on-Wye World War One War Memorial. We will follow the Kyrle Circular Walk and will be raising money for The Royal British Legion. The walk will start at the Prospect at 11am and will follow the River Wye before finishing at the Hope and Anchor pub for drinks. To join us, get in touch and we will send you all the necessary information.

Entry: Sponsored EntryAccess: Open to all ages.

Please notify us if you require wheelchair or

pushchair access

Booking: To book please contact Margaret Jones

on 01989 566301 or email us at rossremembersoutlook.com

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Sgt. Val Johnson, 29, of 75 squadron (NZ), bomb-er command RAF was a bomb-aimer on board the Stirling aircraft set to bomb Munchen Gladbach, Germa-ny on 1st September 1943. He wanted to get revenge for the bombing of his belov-ed Liverpool. After an explo-sion on board the aircraft, he bailed out, landing west of German occupied Weert, Netherlands. He quickly real-ised he was the only survivor of the crash. With injuries to his face, arm, leg and unable to see out of his left eye, Val hid for two days from the en-emy, before travelling to Exel. Stripped of his badges and flying boots, he was taken by bicycle to a nearby doctor who treated his septic arm and knee. He rested for three days before being given plain clothes, and taken by train to Neerpelt where he stayed in a cottage for a further four days. On 10th September, Val was transported by train to Antwerp where he stayed for a few hours at the house of M. Daelmans before being placed on a train to Brussels. From there, he travelled alone to Virton, Ardennes where he stayed with a local organist. The following day he left by train to Florenville

and stayed with a priest for six days. After this, he was driven to Sedan and from there escorted to Paris.When his time was up, he was taken to Quierzy along with three Americans who had also been stranded. They stayed in a farmhouse for three days. They were informed of an allied pickup scheduled for 16/17th October (ten days time). It failed, and with this left Val and the Americans stranded and in danger of being caught by the enemy. Staying in these dangerous conditions meant certain capture for the three men, so they were taken back along their route to Paris.The men where hidden in the woods for four days until Germans began searching for draft dodgers. They were moved to the home of the Georgeton family in Sillery. Mr Georgeton drove the soldiers to a secure location in Mailly-Champagne where they were transferred by horse and cart back to Reims then on to Paris once more. On 16th November, Val and the two Americans took a train to Chauny where they were taken by truck to a house in the country. On 17th November they were successfully picked up by an

aircraft at 02:00 am known as Operation MAGDALAN II (the last pickup on the Pos-sum Escape Line in WWII). Two and a half months after departing the UK, Val arrived safely home. After tracking down an ancestor of the Georgeton family who housed Val and two Americans in November 1943, it was discovered that after Val had made it home, the Georgeton family contin-ued to help allied forces re-turn safely home. They were eventually caught by the Ger-mans and sent to their death at Dachau They had worked tirelessly, in extremely dan-gerous circumstances and eventually paid the ultimate price for their dedication to ensuring the safe return of our soldiers.Ralph Valentine Clingan Johnson, against all odds, evaded death and capture, to return home to his family to live a full life until his passing in 1961 aged 47, the ordeal of war having taken its toll.

We would like to thank Val’s son, Tony Johnson, for the incredible story of his fathers part in the Second World War.

Double escape for Bomber Crew’s only Surviver...

A LONGJOURNEY

RationedBritain

How did we eat when times were tough?

GET

INVO

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29Food rationing began in Britain in 1940. This meant that each person could buy only a fixed amount of certain foods each week. Before the war, most of Britain's food came from other countries in ships but enemy submarines sank so many ships that there was a shortage of food. Rationing made sure everyone got a fair share of what we were able to

Did you know?get hold of. People were issued ration books, and had to hand over coupons from the book, as well as money, when they went shopping. When you had used up your ration of one food (say, cheese or meat), you could not buy any more that week. Vegetarians could swap meat coupons for other foods.

Beetroot Jelly

1. Peel the beetroot, slice, dice or scrape very finely and cook in a little water with the sugar until tender. 2. Add hot water and vinegar to make the whole up to 1 pint. 3. Stir in the gelatine and allow to set. 4. Decant into a jar or smaller pots to serve

You will need:1 Beetroot1 oz Powdered Gelatine1 tbsp Vinegar2 tsp Sugar

Wholemeal BreadYou will need:2 lbs Wholemeal1 tbsp Salt1 1/2 tsp Sugar

1 Pint water, lukewarm1 oz Fat1 oz Yeast1. Put wholemeal into basin and rub in salt and fat2. In another basin put yeast and sugar - mix well with water3. Pour wet mixture into a well in the middle of the flour4. Knead well, mould into loaves (2 or 3), place in lined loaf tins, prick all over and set to rise in a warm place until twice the size.5. Bake at 180 for 1 hour.

2 oz Cheese8 oz Flour1 tsp Baking powderSalt and pepperA little milk to mix

Cheese Scones

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add milk until you form a soft dough2. Knead lightly, roll out and cut into scones with a cutter3. Bake in a brisk oven for 15 minutes at 190 or until risen

Pork Stew1 Pork chopVegetablesChopped SageStock 1. Chop the pork chop and all of the vegetables into cubes 2. Fry the pork to seal, then scrape into a cas-serole dish with all of the other ingredients3. Season, cover with stock and stir 4.Cook in the oven at 200 for 2 hours or until all vegetables are ten-der and the sauce has thickened

Let our specialist Tour Guides take you on a journey of remembrance, following in the footsteps of our fallen war heroes of Ross-on-Wye and neighbouring villages. Travel with your friends and family in the year of the 100th anniversary of the Second Battle of Ypres, when the first major use of poison gas was used on the Western Front in 1915.

1915 Second Battle of YpresTour the 1915 Second Battle of Ypres locations, including Essex Farm, CWGC Cemetery and Dressing Station, Yorkshire Trench and Pilkem Ridge.

1917 Third Battle of YpresTour the 1917 Third Battle of Ypres locations, including Polygon Wood, Passchendaele and Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial.

Menin Gate MemorialAttend the world famous Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial, including a wreath laying in remembrance of our Ross Soldiers.

ROSS

BATTLEFIELD TOURYpres, Belgium2nd - 4th May 2015

3 days, 2 nights

£199 per person

REMEMBERSV

ISIT

30

based on a twin/double roomSingle supplement £20

Bed & Breakfast

Booking: Please contact Jenny on 01989 565599 or emailjenny@takeustouring.com

3 Star accommodation

Executive coach travel

In the footsteps BATTLEFIELD TOURS Tel: 01989 565599

Website: www.inthefootsteps.com email: info@inthefootsteps.com

Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors on a Genealogy Tour

Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors on a Genealogy Tour

In the footsteps aims to provide top quality battlefield tours that offer the personal touch that many of the larger package tour operators are unable to achieve. We are confident that we can design a battlefield tour to meet your needs and are certain that it will achieve, if not exceed, all of your requirements.You know you are in safe hands with In the footsteps: We were the

first Battlefield Tour operator to be awarded membership of the European Tour Operators Association and the first to be given the coveted status of Supporter of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. We have also just been awarded a ‘certificate of excellence’ from Trip Advisor. All of our battlefield tours are guided by Subject Matter Experts who have a wealth of experience delivering a package that is fantastic value and an experience that

WALK IN THEFOOTSTEPS

you will cherish forever. Our tailor-made battlefield tour service is totally flexible. You tell us where, when and for how long you want to go and we tailor a battlefield tour to suit your needs. With an In the footsteps tailor-made battlefield tour it is what you want that matters. If you would like to talk to us about our private tours, call us on 01989 565599 or email info@inthefootsteps.com

“James Lambert Bythe-way (known as Jim) was born in a little village called Wheathill in Shrop-shire. He was the second eldest of twelve children, He was a very popular young man, always ready to help others. He left school at fourteen and went to work on the local estate where he eventu-ally became head Game-keeper. He had known my mother, Barbara, all her life - she was the love of his life and it seemed from an early age they were meant for each other. The day they married was the happiest time of both their lives.

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THEY STILL LIVE ONOn 20th July 1940, Jim joined the army. I was born on the 22nd August. He came home on leave as often as he could but as everyone knew it was go-ing to be a long war. When he was away he would write almost every day and he even wrote letters to me although of course I couldn’t read them. Now they are amongst my most treasured possessions.Jim didn’t go to France on D-Day, he went some days later as back-up troops replacing the ones who had perished.On 20th July 1944, when I was four years old, he was shot by a sniper in a

corn field. Even when he was dying he was more concerned about whether his comrades were alright, than whether he would make it. My mother received let-ters from his command-ing officers and comrades and they all said the same - he was just a good man. You’ve all heard the phrase ‘the salt of the earth’, well that was just my Dad. He is buried in one of the smaller cemeteries in France, in a village called Hermansville.I have missed my Dad all my life.”Margaret Jones, Ross RBL

Although 70 years have passed since the Second World War, the pain of losing a loved one is still very much in the present...

Join us for a night of music and entertainments from the First and Second World Wars hosted by John Kyrle High School, to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye

Sunday 19th October2.30 - 5.30 pm

Booking: To book please contact Margaret Jones on

01989 566301 or email us at rossremembers@outlook.com

POPPY CONCERT

WH

AT’S

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WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

poster teesVintage Poster Tee

£12.50

SHO

P37

Canvas bag £5.00

Mug£5.00

Wristband£2.50

Logo Print Tee£12.50

ROSSREMEMBERSSHOPAll of the profit from items in our shop goes to the Poppy Appeal...

WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

HIS

TORY

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Godfrey and Dan Baines were born in Wye Street, Ross-on-Wye. They had two other brothers and one sister. When Godfrey was fif-teen in 1937, he joined the Navy as a boy Sea-man. He did his training at HMS Ganges and in late 1938 he joined HMS Hood.Dan had always wanted to join his big brother aboard the ship, but they had stopped taking boys by the time he reached fifteen. He was told he must wait until he was

A TALE OF TWO

older before he would be allowed to join the Navy. In May 1941, the family re-ceived the news that HMS Hood had been sunk, and 1,415 lives had been lost, with only three survivors. Godfrey was not among them. Dan remembers the sadness when the news arrived. By then his other two bothers had emigrat-ed to Australia, so that left only him and his sister at home. Dan joined the Navy as soon as he turned eight-een. He joined HMS Bea-

gle which was an anti-sub destroyer. On D-day, the Beagle was the first escort ship with landing crafts, and it be-came one of the luckiest ships in World War Two. Dan was demobbed in April 1946. He returned to his family and started work in the fruit plantations (now the Man of Ross). He married Jean in 1957, and they lived in Cawdor Gardens for 45 years. They had two children, Barbara and Bill.

Two Ross-on-Wye brothers, Godfrey and Dan Baines joined the Navy and fought for our country...

BROTHERS

GET

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DIG FORVICTORYDig For Victory was a propaganda campaign that encouraged people to grow their own food, rather than buying it from shops to reduce Britain’s reliance on imported goods during the Second World War. In the 1930’s, 75% of Britain’s food was imported, and the German U-boats blocking access for ships, threatened the country with starvation. The Government launched the ‘Spades Not Ships’ campaign, and by 1941 annual food imports had halved. 10,000 square miles of land had been brought ‘under the plough’ and half of the population was part of The Gar-den Front. Ross Remembers are creating our very own Dig For Victory garden and would be very grateful for any green-fingered helpers who would like to help to maintain it. If you would like to volunteer, email rossremembers@outlook.com and we will let you know when we are working on the garden so you can come and give us a hand.

Come and join our Dig for Victory team. Call 01989 566301 for more information

Our garden is currently being developed and will be situated opposite Blakes Garden, behind the Hope & Anchor pub. It will feature raised beds, lots of veg and even an Anderson shelter! Why not start a Dig for Victory garden of your own? You could try growing potatoes, carrots, pars-nips, swede and green beans in your back garden, just like the British public did in the 1940’s. We would love to see what you grow, so please pop a photo on our facebook page - facebook.com/rossremembers

WWW.ROSSREMEMBERS.CO.UK

Thomas Blake’s Memorial Gardens were built by public subscription and opened fully in 1916.Thomas Blake was a well known, popular and very gen-erous benefactor to Ross in the late 19th century, and when he died land in Wye Street that he owned was cleared of the dwellings and public bathhouse which had all fallen into great disrepair.. He had intended to do this clearance himself but had not got around to doing so. Thus the town de-cided to do it and turn the area into pleasure gardens mean-dering down to the riverside in memory of all the good work he had done over many years.Blake had built Chapels,

Schools and Churches amongst other things – mainly taking up the mantle of the work started by John Kyrle in the 18th century and improving on it.His main feat for the town was obtaining the deeds of the Prospect Gardens, next to the church, and ensured that they remained in perpetuity for all townsfolk through all eternity.These gardens are still well used to this day and they are where the War Memorial stands and the annual RBL Act of remembrance takes place every November.In 2011, a group of volun-teers took up the gauntlet of tidying up the gardens to ensure this area on the

Riverside Walk was once again a pleasurable part of the town. This work continues today and is now a wonderful area of conservation with wild flower areas, a com-munal herb bed and this year a place for the RBL Dig For Victory Garden to commemorate the onset of WWI.The group enters Britain in Bloom every year and has received Outstanding Awards for the work done.If you would like to volun-teer to help (no garden-ing skills needed) please contact Caroline Utting at Ross Town Council or email Mary Sinclair Powell onmsprosecottage@hotmail.co.uk.

We proudly support the Royal British Legion so for all members of the Legion and their immediate family we would like to offer 10% discount on professional services or a free limousine.

We’re honoured to be the people you can turn to. Please call us anytime.

Ross on Wye 01989 562762Ledbury 01531 636666Hereford 01432 356445

www.abbotsfieldfunerals.co.uk

funeralpartners.co.uk

10% discount for Royal British Legion members and their immediate families.

Abbotsfield Funeral Directors

Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors