Remembrance Sunday may have passed for another year, but memories live on, and so that those memories are recorded, World War 2 veterans, children and representatives of the Frome RBL, RNA and RAFA, as well as the Poppy Appeal and Frome Memorial Theatre, gathered a week later to share some precious moments, in photos.
Jane Norris, chairman of the Frome branch of the Royal British Legion said, “All had laid wreaths the week before, and had stood in two minutes’ silence beneath the statue of Charlie Robbins, Frome‘s World War 1 veteran. All now were able to chat, smile and laugh. The eldest of the veterans was Ron Stone who had experienced hand- to-hand conflict as a Royal Marine Commando in the Far East; Ivor Pickford, 95 years, had seen sights as a soldier in Normandy, which are still etched in his memory; and youngest, 92 year old John (Jo) Dismore, had tales from his time at sea, in the Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve (RNVR), on anti-submarine patrol off the coast of the West Indies, then America for VJ Day, and then off the coast of Ceylon and Singapore.
“Remembrance in Frome has become an important date in the town calendar, when people of all ages, may take time for personal reflection. Many schools in Frome encourage such thought, and pupils of St John’s School along with their headteacher, Mrs Marsland, came that morning to stand alongside their elders, several with eyes wide open, and full of questions.
“Humphrey Barnes, trustee and theatre ambassador, also attended the photo call. It is his dedication, along with many others, that saved the Frome Memorial Theatre that had been built in 1925 to the memory of the fallen of WW1, from threatened demolition in 1985.
“The RBL and Poppy Appeal, and the RNA and RAFA, were present also for the photocall, as representatives of the service organisations, to whom veterans can turn, for any need. A poignant thought to Remembrance was posed at the evening service at St John’s Church, when Mayor of Frome, cllr Sheila Gore read the poem, “The Summer Day”, by Mary Oliver. It finishes with the lines,
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
The photos taken will help preserve the moment, of veterans and children, and might, just might, help all generations to live our wild and precious lives in hope and respect.”