The very name of Woodcutts in dicates to me a refuge, a place of supreme safety, of quiet and peace and indeed the ideal sanctuary for all those dreaming of stepping off the world at the next stop. The name I believe would originally have been derived from the words, 'the cottages in the woods', or the 'Wood Cottages'. For someone like me, who started his working life working in woodland, and who had grown up playing in, and investigating ancient beech and oak woodland, what better place could I have come to shelter from the world at large. For many years my mental state had been balanced on a knife-edge, with the balance kept with the help of all those around me. Having been told to finish work well before retirement age, I was worried! Where should we go? How would we manage? What would people think of me? There was a one word answer, Woodcutts. This is self explanatory, isn't it?
Perhaps for those who don't understand, the word needs qualifying. So here goes, Sixpenny Handley, the Church, (I don't mean the building,), Rushmore Estate, the surrounding Cranborne Chase, does that make more sense? No! Then perhaps if I include, "The people of', in front of the above, is that better?
Even the people who have read what I have written in the Downsman, over the last few years, and have told me so, have helped me enormously. To all the friends I have made in the last few years, who have been a wonderful support, many of whom have helped in strengthening my belief in Jesus Christ, I want to say a big THANK YOU before it is too late. If I have to name one person, it has to be Ron Wood. By the time this is distributed, it will be common knowledge that Pam and Ron will be leaving the village to become missionaries in darkest Surrey, in the New Year. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing them God's Speed and Blessing. Thank you Ron and Pam.
Now to more mundane matters. Over the last two months there have been strange happenings here, in this, the desirable side of Woodcutts. Three houses have been vacated and the occupiers have moved away. The question is why? As I have tried to show above, this is a paradise, why then do people leave?
Actually things aren't as strange after all, because Penny and Paul have moved back here after leaving five years ago. In fact the only reason we are here now is because they moved out of the house we now live in. The fact that after five years away, they returned to live next door must be a reference for Woodcutts. Then of course there is the doyen of Woodcutts, Mrs. Win Kirby who was born here **years ago and has never lived anywhere else. How about that for a reference for our refuge?
It was mainly due to Mrs. Kirby, (No change) that government cut-backs were used as an excuse to discontinue the annual census here. Some of the readers may remember them. If you don't there is no need to worry, Mr. Blair has said we can have the support for a new-year census in 2005.
...................(Sorry about the gap ,but there has been some internal editing), after the American, Presidential Elections, just in case Mr. Bush has nowhere to go if he has to move out of the White House, we have decided that he could stay here. We will get Jim W. to cut some benders for him. Mind you at this stage it is only a rumour, even so Meg and I are brushing up on our American. While on the theme of patron saints, we the people that care, have unanimously decided that 'Freddie Flintoff' should become our patron saint, of Woodcutts, making him an honary life member of our cricket team. We badly need a number three, no I don't necessarily mean someone to bat at number three, it is simply that there are only two cricketers here at present, namely Mrs. W Kirby and myself, so 'Freddie' would be number three.
In fact I have just remembered, if we are allowed a non national, we have a potential fourth member. Unfortunately though, I am not sure if Australians play cricket. Now we must leave the serious news and turn to the natural world:-
Sept. 4th. The month has started gloriously, with warmth and sunshine. (In fact it continued until the 8th.) This is very welcomed after the wettest August, since records have been kept. Yesterday morning as I wandered afield, (my computer tells me there is no such word, but the dictionary says there is) not very far afield, as I had to get back to my beloved computer. I saw what I thought was a flock of lapwings, (green plovers or peewits, I don't know why these birds have to have three common names, all in current use in the same area of the country.), they were spread across the field next to the houses, so I quickly went in and borrowed my grand daughters' binoculars. The birds were indeed lapwings. This gave me a great lift as these birds were seen in great flocks on the stubbles of the past, and reassured me that perhaps all is not so wrong in the World after all. The only difference from the past, was that I didn't need binoculars then.
Therefore as I trudged homeward, to my beloved computer I reminisced, and on entering the garden gate, I was bathed in warm sunshine. Ahead of me the yellow buddleia shone brilliantly and had at that time attracted butterflies galore. (My computer has just pointed out to me there is no comma in the middle of butterflies.) Coincidently there were two comma butterflies on the bush, along with several red admirals, a tortoiseshell, one brimstone, quite a few large whites and a painted lady, and to complete the display two woodmen (butterflies I mean) were cavorting in an intricate display of aerial acrobatics. Bees, wasps and a variety of other flying insects were also involved in the display. The latter had been heavily involved in ransacking the 'ivy hedge' I had just passed, on my way down the lane. We don't consider the ivy as a flowering plant, but in fact it provides an enormous food supply for our insect life, and the berries later in the season as a great food supply for bird life especially the pigeons.
Thinking about berries reminded me that I have not picked elderberries or blackberries for wine this year, a tragedy no less. Hopefully not too late for blackberries but the good quality elderberries are long gone. It is a good berry year none the less, the hawthorn leading the way, with a magnificent display.
To get back to the garden, there are two very large, dark fluorescent green dragonflies motoring around like Wellington bombers. There is a small garden pond next door, and it is from there that I assume they come.
Feeling elated, I did get to work on the computer feeling that at least I had been compensated for the time I was going to have to sit indoors.
When I started this article, I wondered what I was going to write about, now as I am about to finish there are still a million things to say, but time is up and the deadline is today, so stop I must. (If Mr. Bush does come to live here, I will let you know in the December edition) Until then, thank for reading this, and God Bless you All.
SECTION A - VEGETABLES & FRUIT (PARISH)
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section A; Awarded The Harry Tucker Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup & Show Medal
- Norman Mansfield
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section A; Awarded a Voucher
- Pete Stevens - Carrots
SECTION B - VEGETABLES & FRUIT (OPEN)
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section B; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Show Medal
- Mrs Mary Ford
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section B; Awarded a Voucher
- E Cutler - Carrots
SECTION C - DAHLIAS & SUMMER FLOWERS (OPEN)
Exhibitor with Most Points in Classes C12 to C30; Awarded The Jill Coate Memorial Challenge Cup & Medal
- Miss Mary Penny
Exhibitor with Most Points in Classes C1 to C11; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- W J Gould
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Classes C1 to C11; Awarded The National Dahlia Society Silver Medal Certificate
- W J Gould - Bowl Of Dahlias
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Classes C12 to C30; Awarded a Voucher
- Mrs Cynthia Dawkins - Flowering Pot Plant
SECTION D - FLORAL ART
Exhibitor with the Most Points in Classes Dl to D8; Awarded The G S Clarke Challenge Cup & Medal
- Mrs Liz Coombs
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Classes D1 to D8; Awarded a Flower Container
- Mrs Susan Pillans - Exhibit Featuring a Figurine
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Classes D9 to D11; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- Not Awarded
SECTION E - COOKERY & HOMECRAFT
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section E; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Show Medal
- Miss Mary Penny
Exhibitor with 2nd Most Points in Section E; Awarded a Prize
- Mrs Joyce Waker
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section E; Awarded a Gift Token
- Robin Raban-Williams - Loaf Of Bread Using Bread Maker
SECTION F - CHILDREN'S CLASSES
8 YEARS & UNDER
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Age Group; Awarded a Show Medal
- Benjamin Chick - Miniature Garden On Plate
Exhibitor with the Highest Number of Points in Age Group; Awarded a Show Challenge Cup & Certificate
- Benjamin Chick
9 YEARS to 14 YEARS OLD
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Age Group; Awarded a Show Medal
- Charlotte Brookes - A Collage
Exhibitor with the Highest Number of Points in Age Group; Awarded a Show Challenge Cup & Certificate
- Charlotte Brookes
SECTION G - PHOTOGRAPHY
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section G; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- Mrs Diana Chick
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section G; Awarded a Gift Token
- Mrs Diana Chick - "Stormy"
SECTION H - WINE MAKING & HOMEBREWING
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section H; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- Norman Mansfield
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section H; Awarded a Gift Token.
- Norman Mansfield - White Sweet Wine
SECTION J - HONEY
Exhibitor with Most Points in Section J; Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- Not Awarded
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Section J; Awarded a Gift Token
- Not Awarded
SECTION K - HOBBIES & HANDICRAFTS
Exhibitor with Best Exhibit in Section K, Awarded a Challenge Cup & Medal
- Shanti Harding - Weaving
Exhibitor with the Best Exhibit in Classes K7 to K9, Awarded a Gift Token
- Mrs Dee Broadway - Picture
The Chairman and committee of the Annual Flower Show would like to thank everyone who took part, helped before and on the day and local organisations who gave time or donations (and some who gave both) to make our 26th Anniversary Show such a success.
The weather was better than it had been for days, Pauline Brandt opened the show, the band played and people enjoyed themselves. The tea ladies and gentleman were kept busy all afternoon, thank you to everyone who made cakes and came and helped. The marquee and village hall were packed with visitors from all parts.
A special thanks you to the teachers and pupils of our school for producing such a wonderful display for the hall. The standard and imagination shown by the children was exceptional.
Statistically (some people like to know these things) there were 87 exhibitors, including 22 children ~ 618 exhibits and most encouragingly 15 entries in the Men Only classes (one up on last year).
The committee are delighted to announce that a donation of £400 is being sent to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance & £25 each to the Cricket Club & the Football Club as a thank you for use of their pitches.
Dorset Historic Churches Trust
On Saturday 11th September Carole (St Mary’s Close) and Terry and Gill (Handley Green) undertook their sponsored cycle ride. We are three O.A.P.’s with O.A.P. bicycles! In fact Gill’s bike was bought for her, second-hand in World War II and is a Coventry Eagle. Carole and Terry both have Raleigh’s. Not for us the lightweight, multi-geared bikes and Lycra outfits but sturdy steeds with baskets, panniers and saddle bag. Terry, although the eldest, does ride his bike most days for exercise, to Wimborne St Giles; Carole, the youngest hadn’t been on her bike since last years’ sponsored ride but daily walks numerous dogs; Gill is just active - gardening etc. so all in all, we are reasonably fit.
This is the second year we have undertaken the cycle ride and "route finder Gill" decided to vary it, although still aiming to visit the same number of churches. We set off at around 10:30am and had a nasty moment at St Mary’s when Terry’s tyre was soft and wouldn’t pump up. Luckily Carole went home and got another pump and the tyre then stayed up all day. From Sixpenny Handley we went to Tollard Royal, Farnham, Chettle, Long Crichel - stopping for a delicious coffee and cake at the bakery - Gussage St Michael, Gussage All Saints, Horton, Woodlands, Edmonsham, Cranborne and Wimborne St Giles. In all we, again, visited twelve churches and cycled about 30 miles –not bad for O.A.P.’s! The different churches were varied and of considerable interest; the countryside was beautiful. The weather was kind and apart from a heavy shower while we were at Wimborne St Giles it stayed fine. However, there was a strong wind which seemed to be more against us than behind us!
The sponsor money we will collect will be divided, with half going to the Dorset Historic Church Trust, and half going to our nominated church – St. Mary’s, Sixpenny Handley.
Many thanks to all our sponsors for making our ride so worth while.
Hopefully we’ll be cycling again next year and maybe other villagers especially ‘the young’ will also go on ‘The Great Sponsored Cycle Ride’.
This year’s Summer Camp was between the 10th and 17th August.
13 Scouts and 3 leaders enjoyed a week of activities at Les Maingys Scout Campsite in Guernsey – this is a diary of what we got up to…………..
Tuesday
It was an early start today; we had to be at the ferry terminal in Weymouth at 6.45 am. All our camping gear was packed into the car and we had to carry our own bags onto the boat. The journey there was really quick and we were in Guernsey by 9.30. There was minibus to pick us up from the terminal in St Peter Port which took us to Les Maingys Scout Site.
The rest of the morning was spent putting up the tents and organising the marquee that was going to be the kitchen. Once camp was sorted it was time to go exploring and we decided to go to Port Soif, the beach closest to the campsite. It was a very hot afternoon and the sea was lovely, we all went in. We had a relaxing afternoon playing frisbee and swimming in the sea. It was nice to relax after our very early morning and getting camp ready.
Back at camp – Jack, Simon and Ben cooked tea, lots of sausages!!!!! Then the rest of us washed up and decided that it was best to have an early night as Rob has warned us that tomorrow will be a busy day with lots of walking.
Wednesday
Today we were going to explore the middle of the island. After breakfast we made our packed lunches and caught the bus to St Peter Port. From St Peter Port we then caught another bus to the Underground Hospital. The Hospital was built by the German Occupying force during the Second World War. We explored the many tunnels and walked around the damp rooms that were once wards and operating theatres. It was even possible to see the prints of the Jack Boots that were worn by a soldier in the concrete floor.
From the Underground Hospital we walked to the Little Chapel and the Guernsey Clock makers. The Little Chapel was covered in broken pottery and shells and was only just big enough for all of us to fit in.
Next stop was the Strawberry Farm. Not many strawberries, but we all played a round of crazy golf and had a go on the trampolines. Rob decided that it was not a very long way to the camp site and that it would do us all good to walk back. 2 hours later and after lots of wrong turns, we found a bus stop and decided that it would be best to leave the walking for another day, and we decided that we must get a better map!
Thursday
Into town today. Firstly to Castle Cornet, the fort that protects the entrance to the harbour of St Peter Port. We visited all the museums at the site and then watched the noon-day gun being fired, very loud.
The first part of the afternoon was spent looking around the shops in town and buying postcards to be sent home. We could not spend long in town as we had to get back to camp and get ready for abseiling.
The abseiling was off a high cliff face near Cobo Bay. The instructor, John, showed us how to put the harness on correctly and then how to warm up properly before we started to abseil. Not all of us had a go; the cliff did look very high!
Friday
After all of the walking and abseiling, we decided to take it easy today. First thing we had a game of cricket at the site and then tidied up our tents and the marquee. After lunch we went to Cobo Bay for an afternoon on the beach. The weather wasn’t as good as Tuesday, but at least it was perfect for flying the kite.
Tea was fish and chips back at camp and an evening playing frisbee in the dark (very dangerous) and then playing cards. At about 10.30pm someone saw a shooting star. As there were no lights around we could see the night sky really clearly, so we grabbed our chairs, benches and sleeping mats and watched the shooting stars for about 2 hours – which is probably the quietest that we have been so far.
Saturday
Today was canoeing day. We got up early and had a big breakfast. It was a 45 minute walk to the beach that we would be canoeing from and we would need as much energy as possible.
We got to the beach and helped the instructor unload the canoes from the trailer. We split into two groups, one canoeing with the others playing on the beach, and then we swapped over. We warmed up on the beach and then Peter the instructor talked us through the different strokes that we would need in the water. He then showed us how to get out of the canoe if we capsized. It was then into the water and out into the bay (a bit zig-zaggy and not in a very straight line). We paddled about a third of a mile from the beach and then turned around and looked at where we had come from. We could see the other Scouts playing on the beach. The water was crystal clear and we could easily see the sea floor beneath us. After practicing some tricky manoeuvres around a group of islands and practicing paddling backwards, we headed nearer to the beach to play some games. Firstly, we had to form a raft by all lining up together and placing our paddles along the front of the canoes.
We made sure we were all in tight together. Then the dreaded walking along the front of the canoes! This was easier than we thought so Pete decided to make it harder – two people had to be out of their canoes at a time and then race along the front of the canoe, around the back and then sit back down in their canoe. Some of us did end up in the water! Then we learnt another important skill, how to get back in your canoe. It was then back closer to the beach where Pete challenged us to a game of Canoe Cowboys. We had to sit with our legs either side of the canoe, and then we had to turn 90 degrees so we were riding side saddle, then another 90 degrees so we were facing the wrong way. Pete decided again that this was too easy so made us swivel around as fast as we could from facing backwards to the right way. Again, some of us ended up in the water. For those that were still in the canoe and hadn’t fallen in, Pete challenged us to stand up in the Canoe. Only Jess managed this and put all the other Scouts to shame. It was then back to the beach and time for the second half of the group to have a go in the canoes.
After our day of canoeing it was back to camp for a barbecue. We invited the instructors and their family to join us, and still had lots of food left over!
Sunday
Sunday started as a nice lazy day. We went to the local shop and bought all the Sunday Newspapers. The kettle went on and we had a very relaxing morning after our tiring day of canoeing. The peace and quiet didn’t last long as we had climbing in the afternoon.
We started by practicing on the lower part of the climbing wall and ‘bouldering’ from left to right. This warmed our arms and legs up and practiced our hold on the wall. The climbs started off easy, then got harder and harder until we had to negotiate overhangs and tiny holds. Once at the top of the climbing wall you had to trust the person holding the rope so you could lean back and abseil down to the ground. We also had a go at climbing a cable ladder that was hung from the ceiling.
Monday
Today was our last full day in Guernsey so we had to make the most of it. We got up early and walked to Guernsey Candles. We watched how candles are made and carved. Next, it was on to the craft centre and then to the Go-Karting track. Unfortunately it started to rain just as we arrived at the track and it was too dangerous to go on. Instead we went to the ten-pin bowling alley which was just next door and was nice and dry. After 90 minutes of bowling we walked to the bus stop and headed back to camp. Again no time to rest as we had archery before tea.
For archery we split into four teams and scored each persons go. It started by the normal scoring for hitting the different coloured rings on the target, and finished by shooting balloons on the target.
We had to start packing tonight and this meant taking all our tents down and sleeping in the marquee. Chris headed off to the beach with his fishing rod and promised that he would catch us all fish for tea. Chris returned 2 hours later without any fish. Good job that we had spaghetti bolognese ready just in case.
Tuesday
We started by clearing the last of the camp and loading all our kit into the car. There was a last sweep of camp for any lost teaspoons and litter that may have been left.
We were so quick in clearing camp that there was one last chance to go into St Peter Port and buy last minute pressies for people at home. We caught the bus to the sports centre and had a swim and a go in the flumes at the pool. This meant that we would be nice and clean for our parents waiting for us back on the mainland.
After returning to camp there was just enough time to gather our belongings and catch the bus to the ferry terminal. The sailing was a little rough on the way home and we watched the lightning storm over the sea. We arrived at Poole around 2 am.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Annual Sale - Don’t go anywhere else to be cheated (Come in here)
Bulldog For Sale - Will eat anything. Fond of children.
Respectable woman wants washing on Tuesdays.
Lost, near Highgate, an umbrella belonging to a gentleman with a bent rib and a bone handle.
LOCAL TALENT
Nicky Jesse has been breeding and showing sheep for many years and this year has been the best of all, winning 19 cups.
Bath and West - Reserve Male Champion
New Forest - Reserve Champion
Isle of Wight - Champion; Supreme Reserve
Honiton - Reserve Champion
Ellingham - Champion; Supreme Champion
Mid Somerset - Reserve Champion
Gillingham and Shaftesbury - Champion; Reserve Champion; Supreme Champion
Melplash - Supreme Champion
Dorchester - Reserve Champion; Reserve Supreme Champion; Champion Wool
Romsey - Champion (Supreme Female)
Also Best Shepherded Flock and Dorset Sheep Breeders Best Small Flock.
With only Newbury Show to go I wonder if she will finish on a high.
Our local post person – Sarah struggles to ride her bike but when on a horse she excels. Together with her horse called Sixpenny Forges Free Spirit sponsored by her brother Jess.
Bought as an unbroken 4 year old they have reached their gold by achieving the Dorset Show Jumping Finals at Kingston Maurwood and winning it, also they won the Wiltshire Championship at West Wilts Equestrian Centre.
Qualified for the National Championship at Stoneleigh and came a creditable fourth and has now qualified for the Hampshire Championship at the end of September.
Finally Jess the village donkey went to Fordingbridge Show and won 2nd for Best Pet Donkey and 4th for Best Gelding. What a Star.
1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
Driving almost due south from the French port of Dunkirk, you will, after some 60 kilometres of driving, arrive at the ancient fortified town of Bethune. Situated in the northern outskirts, and quite close to the junction with the river Lawe and the Aire-La-Bassee canal, is the town's impressive cemetery containing just over 3,000 war graves from the First World War and it is here in plot 1, row B, grave 20 that a headstone marks the last resting place for the mortal remains of Private William George Phillips of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. Similar to his friend and fellow villager, Private Fred Weeks, whose profile was reported in the last issue of The Downsman, William George Phillips had died from wounds received in action, a fact signalled to his unit on the authority of the officer commanding No.6 Clearing Hospital, Bethune and supported by reports from No.7 Field Ambulance into whose care Private Phillips had initially been placed.
At the time of his death, he had over ten years of military service behind him, having attested in A Company of the 1st Battalion, at Devizes, on the 2nd of February 1904. It is likely that his service life followed a pattern similar to that of Private Weeks; certainly, both men had arrived in France on the same day, disembarking at Rouen on the 14th of August 1914, and from that point on both would have shared in the events that led to the death of Fred Weeks, less than two weeks later.
As I observed in my previous piece, the early phases of the First World War witnessed a great deal of movement, particularly during the last days of August and in the first couple of weeks of September as the British Expeditionary Force retreated in a mainly south-westerly direction away from Mons. For the soldiers, and for the majority of their officers, it must have been a very confusing state of affairs. The thunder of war was never far distant and at times during the retirement, battalions would suddenly be caught up in close fighting as the advancing enemy attempted to outflank their broad area of retreat and cause havoc in the rear areas. The War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment illustrates precisely the desperation of the hour as the men, weary from hours of forced-marching in the heat of late August and with scant periods of rest, snatched as and when the opportunity to do so permitted, withdrew across the fields and lanes of northern France. The distances covered each day were quite considerable and from the litany of village names entered in the Diary it is relatively simple to plot the last days of life remaining for William George Phillips (and many like him). On the 29th of August, reports reached the battalion that the enemy were closing on the village of Salency raising the spectre of an imminent flanking attack. Along with other units of the 7th Infantry Brigade, the Wiltshire's moved into a wooded area and, it seems, the German forces were thwarted in their intentions. During the night and for part of the following day, the brigade wheeled towards the east, crossing the Oise river near the village of Varesnes (reported in the Diary as 'Varennes'), the Wiltshire's being the last battalion to cross prior to sappers blowing the bridges.
With the enemy continuing to press, the brigade turned, once again, on to a southerly path, passing through Vic sur Aisne before coming up on Coyolles. In the words of the diarist, it had been a very trying month and there would be scant respite over the next two weeks.
In fact, over the next fourteen days the army continued its gruelling retreat, crossing the Marne near Meaux, destroying the bridges immediately in front of the enemy, and then as the first week of September drew to a close, swung south of Paris and made for Chartres. Here, the battalion received some reinforcements and though the diary does not make it clear, I much suspect that the Wiltshire's (and other battalions, too) suffered from men becoming detached from the main body, purely through sheer exhaustion. However, within 24-hours of arriving at Chartres, the battalion received orders to retrace its steps and the diarist notes, on the 6th, that the advance north began though, initially, it was more towards the east than to the north. Hautefeuille, east-south-east from the outer environs of Paris, was reached that same day, the 1st Battalion marching into the village on the heels of the Germans, now in the process of retiring. In simple terms, the British army's advance was now running almost parallel with their recent line of retreat, quite literally a mere few kilometres to the east from the towns and villages through which it had recently passed. It was not all plain sailing; the weather was most inclement and it was a bone weary and soaked battalion that reached the village of Grand Rozoy in the late evening of the 11th. Despite their discomfort, the men had little rest and within hours they were on the move and heading north-north-east and into Cerseuil.
With barely a pause for breath, the battalion pushed up to the area around Braine and 24-hours later they were across the Aisne and in contact with the enemy near Chassemy. However, this was about the limit of the push north in this sector of the battlefield and after reaching Vailly-sur-Marne the battalion gradually retired into the rear areas, reaching Grand Rozoy on the 4th of October, 1914. It is, I believe, almost certain that Private Phillips came through these days of almost constant movement unscathed and, therefore, accompanied the battalion on its next major deployment, the shift from the front north-east of Paris to a new area of operations west-south-west of Lille.
Thus, it was at sometime between the 12th and the 24th October that he was mortally wounded. On the 12th, the 1st Battalion moved out of Hinges and headed east towards the village of La Couture (roughly 10 kilometres north-north-east from Bethune) with the purpose of providing support for three battalions that were pinned down on the left bank of the Loisne. C Company received orders to move into the gap between the 7th and 8th brigades; D company were deployed with the Worcesters, while B Company was used as escort to the 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The next day, and in the face of heavy shelling, the Loisne was crossed and the battalion's headquarters took up a position just to the east of La Couture where, late in the day, C Company returned after sustaining nine men killed and eight others wounded in the previous day's fighting. Two days later, the battalion reached Neuve Chapelle, a dozen or more kilometres south-south-west of Armentieres and it was in this vicinity that I believe it most likely that Private Phillips was cut down. Several diary entries fully support this supposition; on the 17th some eighteen men were wounded as the battalion made small gains near Ligny-Ie-Grand, while the next day three men were killed and another 21 wounded as the battalion beat off stiff counter attacks.
Further stiff fighting followed on the 19th, with the enemy pressing home their attacks with vigour and no little determination in conditions of heavy rain. Then, on the 21st, the Germans managed to break through on one of the brigades' right flank, but the diarist noted that the Wiltshire's managed to hold their line, digging in around Haplegard.
And, so it continued. On the 24th of October, the day that William George Phillips succumbed to his wounds, the diary reads:
'Saturday, 12.30 am night attack started against trenches and continued to about 2.30 am. Proceeded with improvement on trenches as far as enemy's snipers would permit. Got all troops, except H.Q. out of buildings by daylight.
'9.45am. Shelling of village* and trenches commenced. Ceased for a few hours and was again continued without a break from 2 to 7 pm. Companies in trenches suffered from shellfire, their trenches being blown in by these heavy shells. Village suffered a good deal. B Company in dugouts outside the village also suffered. Trenches report an attack about 5 pm Sent up what could be collected of B Company to reinforce trenches.
‘2nd Lieutenant Riddell slightly wounded, 8 men killed, 36 wounded and 23 men missing. It is feared that most of these 23 men were buried in the dugouts.'
In the days that followed his death, official notification was conveyed to his widow, Helen Annie Phillips. In time, Helen re-married and became the wife of the village butcher, William Samuel Clarke. When the Imperial War Graves Commission, as it was then titled, contacted Helen she was living in Diamond Villa, close to the family business which at the time was conducted from the cottage at the bottom of the High Street, now known as the Old Shop. As most will be aware, the family's butchery business continues to thrive and customers are assured of excellent provisions and service from their present establishment at the upper end of the High Street.
To bring this profile to a close, I cannot stress too strongly the sheer deprivation and ever present danger that the officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force had to endure. Long forced-marches, sometimes at night, and with few opportunities to rest and recuperate tested everyone to the maximum of their physical endurance and to illustrate the severity of the mauling being meted out by the Germans their exists on the south bank of the Marne at La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, a small town some 66 kilometres east of Paris, a memorial to nearly 4,000 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who perished twixt August and early October 1914, and who have no known graves. Amongst the names is that of 2nd Lieutenant Harold William Roseveare, of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, just 19 years of age, who was mortally wounded on the 20th of September in the fighting north of the Aisne.
*The village referred to in the diary was most likely to have been Neuve Chapelle, which in late October 1914 was the battalion's main area of operations.