A SPECIAL day of commemorations to mark 100 years since the end of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War was held at St Helen’s Church.
The event commenced with a drumhead service led by the Rev Dr Rich Johnson, Vicar of All Saints, Worcester during which time the Last Post was sounded and a minute’s silence was observed by all those attending.
Following the service the event was officially opened by the Deputy Lieutenant Lord Cobham. Along with many members of the public the service was attended by the Mayor of Worcester Coun Steve Mackay, city MP Robin Walker, Anne Hingley, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council and Stephen Betts, High Sheriff of Worcestershire.
As well as exhibitions, displays and short talks relating to the battle, letters, poems and extracts from diaries of those who lived through the horror of that time were read out by army, air and sea cadets.
The names of the 635 known men from Worcestershire who were killed or died of wounds during the battle scrolled continuously across a television screen
One hundred years ago this week the 100 days of battle known as Passchendaele drew to a close on the Western Front.
When Canadian troops captured the village of Passchendaele on 10th November 1917 over 500,000 men from both sides had been killed, wounded or were missing.
Organisers Sandra Taylor, said: “The event was not only been about remembering all those who died during the battle but also those who returned home physically or mentally scarred by their experiences during those dark days, of which a significant number no doubt died during the days, months and even years after the end of the battle.
“A number of people who attended the event stated prior to this they had known very little about the battle.
“Reading the information in the displays, listening to the talks and in particular, hearing the contents of personal letters and diary extracts written at the time, truly brought home the horror of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.”
