Last Saturday, Remembrance Day, a gathering of Long Wittenham residents remembered soldiers from the village killed in the First World War. More than thirty people assembled around the memorial outside the village school to pay their respects to the dead of all world conflicts. Fourteen men from Long Wittenham were killed in action or died from wounds in France, England and Palestine in the First World War.
In the past children from the school mingled with older generations but were absent this year because Armistice Day fell on Saturday. However, on Friday the Rev David Haylett visited the school and spoke to the children about the significance of World War One, later conflicts and the impact they had on the world and future generations.
Two wreathes made by the children were laid at the memorial by older pupils along with fourteen small wooden crosses. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev Haylett who said: “Today is a special day when we remember those men and women who have died fighting for peace and justice so that today we might live in freedom.”
The two minutes silence was observed at 11am. Afterwards wreathes of red poppies – the traditional symbols of the Great War – were laid by the chairman of Long Wittenham Parish Council Gordon Rogers and June Woodage on behalf of the community.