A COMMEMORATION of the sacrifices made by those killed and injured in the First World War will be held 100 years to the day Britain celebrated the end of the conflict.
Although the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918, peace was not officially proclaimed until June 28 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
To mark the final end of the war July 19, 1919 was designated a public holiday and Peace celebrations took place throughout the land.
In Badsey on Peace Day, the bells rang out both morning and afternoon with a thanksgiving service in St James’ Church. In the afternoon, decorated bicycles and prams arrived and were judged. The intention had been to have a procession through the village but, due to incessant rain, this was aborted.
At the school, a tea party was organised for the pupils and for people over 70.
Today (Friday) exactly a hundred years later, the school tea will be re-created at Badsey First School with a number of older residents from the village being invited.
Headteacher Jon Moss, said: “I’m very excited about Friday – we have 15 members of the Badsey Friendship group joining us and various other local folk.”
Members of the Badsey Society will put on an exhibition in the hall, which will include details of the 22 pupils and one teacher who lost their lives in the war.
With money left over from the Peace Day festivities in 1919, Peace Mugs were bought to give to the children.
This year, each pupil will be given a copy of Peace, War and Remembrance: The Great War in Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford.
