V

The Annual
Service of Remembrance
at

T H E WA R M E M O R I A L
BEAUMONT STREET, HEXHAM

SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2010

FROM 10.15 am

The Salute at the March Past will be taken by

H. M. Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland

Captain A. Iain B. Moffat, RD DL RNR

accompanied by

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tombleson RA

Commanding Officer 39 Regiment The Welsh Gunners
and
Councillor Terry Robson, Mayor of Hexham,
Chairman of Hexham Town Council
War Graves and the War Memorial at Kranji, Singapore
 Kranji War Memorial, Singapore

The War Memorial at Kranji is situated 22km (13.5 miles) north of Singapore
city at the northern end of Bukit Tima Road, and overlooks the Straits of
Johore, the Causeway joining Singapore with Malaya.

Before 1939 it was a military camp and is situated 2 miles from the mouth of
Kranji river, where the Japanese landed on 8 February, 1942. After the fall
of the island the Japanese established a hospital nearby at Woodlands. After
the reoccupation of the island at the end of the war a small cemetery, started
by the prisoners at Kranji, was developed into a permanent war cemetery
by the Army War Graves Service when it became evident that a larger
cemetery at Changi could not be left undisturbed.

Changi had been the site of the main prisoner of war camp in Singapore and
a large hospital had been set up there. In 1946 the graves were moved from
Changi to Kranji, together with those from Buona Vista prisoner of war
camp. The Committee later brought in graves of both world wars from other
cemeteries where maintenance was not possible.

Within Kranji War Cemetery stands the Singapore Memorial bearing the
names of over 24,000 casualties of the Commonwealth land and air forces
who have no known grave.

Kranji War Cemetery and the Singapore Memorial were designed by Colin
St Clair Oakes and were completed and consecrated in 1957.

The photograph on the facing page shows the grave of Pt. Ormston, a soldier
from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
 FOR THE FALLEN

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon
1869-1943
 ORDER OF PARADE

From 1005 hours at the War Memorial and until the Parade arrives,
the Brampton Silver Band will be playing a selection of
popular wartime tunes.

* * *

At 1020 hours after assembling near the County Hotel, Priestpopple, the
Parade, headed by soldiers of 132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop) 39
Regiment RA The Welsh Gunners together with contingents from the
Territorial Army, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and other
uniformed contingents and with the Banner of the 3rd Reconnaissance
Regiment borne by a Cadet from the Army Cadet Force, will march
along Priestpopple into Fore Street and to a halt in the Market Place
where the Parade will be joined by members of the Royal British Legion,
Ex-Service personnel and voluntary organisations.

The Parade will then march up Beaumont Street into the Park, passing
through the Northumberland Fusiliers War Memorial Gateway, to the
War Memorial.

* * *
H.M. Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland Captain A. I. B. Moffat
RD DL RNR accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tombleson RA
Commanding Officer of 39 Regiment RA The Welsh Gunners and
Councillor Terry Robson, Mayor of Hexham, will take the salute as the
Parade passes the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Regimental
Memorial adjacent to the Abbey.

* * *

After the Parade arrives at the War Memorial there will be an address
‘Our Veterans’ given by Peter Robson
 THE SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
Conducted by The Reverend Canon Graham B. Usher,
Rector of Hexham

All gather in silence. The Rector then says:

God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8

The Rector continues:

We meet in the Presence of God.
We commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith
For reconciliation between the nations,
That all people may together, live in freedom, justice and peace.

We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain

continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.

We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives,

in world wars and conflicts past and present,
have been given and taken away.

HYMN
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;

A thousand ages in Thy sight

are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
THE SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
(continued)

O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,
be Thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

An older person says:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;

A young person says:

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

we will remember them.

And all shall repeat:

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

The Last Post

THE SILENCE
The Reveille

The Rector says:

When you go home, tell them of us and say;
For your tomorrow we gave our today.
 WREATH LAYING
POPPY WREATHS WILL BE LAID ON THE WAR MEMORIAL IN
MEMORY OF THOSE OF OUR ARMED FORCES OF
NORTHUMBERLAND AND ELSEWHERE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN WAR FOR US ALL

While the wreaths are being laid:-

Russian Kantakion – An Orthodox prayer for the departed will be sung

by the men of Hexham Abbey Choir

and

Ms Sue Dunne will play a Lament for the Fallen on the Northumbrian
pipes

HM Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland

Captain A. Iain B. Moffat RD DL RNR

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tombleson

Commanding Officer 39 Regiment RA The Welsh Gunners

Major Jules Forrest-Anderson

Commanding Officer 100 Pioneer Regiment

Wing Commander T. R. Holland AFC BA RAF (Retd)

J. Russell Smith

Wing Commander Lynn McManus RAF

Royal Marine David J. Thompson & John Westgarth RMR

Followed by any serving members of the Armed Forces

The Mayor of Hexham Councillor Terry Robson

on behalf of the People of Hexham
Guy Opperman, Member of Parliament for the Hexham Constituency
 WREATH LAYING (continued)
In Memory of all those who have given their lives in war for us all
Representatives will lay wreaths on behalf of
Royal British Legion – Stan Batey
Royal Air Force Association – Ken Dodd
Merchant Navy – Ian Hepple
Korean War Veterans Association – Alan Ash
Forces for Good – Tony Wright
Northumbria Police – Inspector David Thornhill
North East Ambulance Service – Peter Wood
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service
The 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment Old Comrades Association
Northumbria Army Cadet Force [Hexham Detachment]
224 [Hexham] Squadron Air Training Corps
The Boys Brigade

British Red Cross Society [Hexham] – Mary Robinson

Salvation Army Hexham Corps – Envoy Eunice Blakey

1st Hexham Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts

3rd Hexham Brownies and 1st and 3rd Hexham Guides

St Mary’s R.C. Church – Paul & Winifred Burges

Trinity Methodist Church – Neil Mallon

Hexham Community Partnership – Bob Hull

Hexham Business Forum – Sandy Rutherford

Rotary Club of Hexham

Rotary Club of Tynedale
Rotary Club of Hadrian’s Wall

Hexham Round Table

Hexham 41 Club

Soroptimists International of Tynedale

Hexham and Tynedale Inner Wheel
Hexham Tangent

Hexham Masonic Hall Company

The Albert Edward Club
Hexham Ex-Servicemen’s Club – Martin Cafferty

Hexham Constituency Conservative Association

Hexham & District Labour Party – David Crocket

Other wreaths will be laid as representatives come forward

* * *
 The Rector leads the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power
and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen
The Rector gives the blessing:
God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest,
to the Church, the State and all people,
unity, peace and concord,
and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting.
and the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all
and remain with you always
Amen.
[The Parade will come to attention]
The National Anthem
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!
After the National Anthem the Parade will leave the Memorial following the Abbey
Procession, to dismissal on Beaumont Street
The War Memorial Honour Guard will also leave the Memorial following the Parade to
dismissal
[PLEASE KEEP THE FUSILIER GATEWAY CLEAR TO ALLOW THE ABBEY
PROCESSION, THE PARADE AND THE HONOUR GUARD TO LEAVE THE AREA]
The Brampton Silver Band will play a selection of wartime tunes for a short while as
the Memorial area clears
Everyone is welcome to attend the Remembrance Sunday Service to be held in
Hexham Abbey immediately afterwards
This year it is seventy years since the Battle of Britain.
Laying a wreath today on behalf of the Royal Air Force is Wing Commander
T. R. Holland AFC BA RAF [Ret’d]. Also laying a wreath is J. Russell Smith
who served in the RAF during the Cyprus Emergency.

T. R. HOLLAND
Wing Commander Holland joined
the RAF in 1944 to train as a pilot. He
graduated from RAF Cranwell with
a Distinguished Pass in 1946 and was
awarded his Pilots Wings and
Commission. After further training
he flew Lancasters and Sunderland
Flying boats in Coastal Command.
He joined 230 F. B. Squadron at
Calshot on the Solent in 1948. The
Squadron was deployed to Germany
for the Berlin Airlift in July 1948. The
airlift was the Western Allies response
to the Soviet Russian total blockade of
Berlin. Its aim was to force out the
USA, British and French occupation
forces and to assimilate their sectors
into the Russian zone of occupation of
East Germany. The Allies used all
available transport aircraft to ferry
supplies to Berlin to support their
garrisons and the two million
civilians in the city. The Sunderland
Flying boats flew three round trips
daily with food vegetables and tinned
meat. As winter came the
Sunderlands carried salt to de-ice the
airfields being the only aircraft
proofed against salt corrosion. Some
return flights brought out up to 45
sick children for the Red Cross. The
Russians abandoned the blockade on Wg. Cdr T. R. Holland
12 May 1949 but the airlift continued HAVEL SEE BERLIN 25 July 1948
until September. (Then a Flying Officer)
230 F. B. Squadron moved to Pembroke Dock in 1949 and Wing Commander
Holland spent three years flying Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance patrols
and Search and Rescue. In April 1949 he escorted the RMS Queen Mary on its
return from America with Winston Churchill on board.
In 1952 he went to Central Flying School and after training as an Instructor
spent three years training students to fly.
In 1955 he returned to Coastal Command and was promoted to Squadron
Leader and appointed Flight Commander in 224 Shackleton Squadron at
Gibraltar. The Squadron flew in low level ground attacks supported the Army
fighting on the Arabian peninsular. For his support of the SAS in the final
assault of Jebel Akhdar in Oman he was mentioned in Dispatches and
awarded the Air Force Cross. From Gibraltar for the Royal Navy he also
obtained low level close up photographs of a new class of Russian Navy
Cruiser.
After completing a Guided Weapons Course he raised and commanded 62
Bloodhound Squadron at Rutland. This was part of the air defence for the
British Nuclear Deterrent and following staff appointments at Fighter
Command and at NATO HQ Allied Air Forces Central Europe he was
promoted to Wing Commander and completed an Air Warfare Course. He
returned to Coastal Command as Commander of Operations Wing RAF St
Mawgan which was a Master Diversion Unit. There was a Shackleton
Squadron, a Shackleton Training Unit and 22 Search and Rescue Unit with
Whirlwind helicopters constantly on duty.
In 1969 Wing Commander Holland returned to controlling an air defence
sector in NATO Germany for three years and then for his last four years
before retiring in 1976 he spent with RAF Research and Intelligence.
 J. RUSSELL SMITH
On attaining 18 years in February 1955, Russell, son of a Hexham businessman,
was due for National Service. Following interview he elected to serve for 3
years, opting to join the Royal Air Force. Like all personnel he was first kitted
out at RAF Cardington and then sent on to Padgate, near Warrington, for 8
weeks basic training. On completion he received his first posting, to Manby,
near Louth in Lincolnshire, part of Flying Training Command. Having passed
his Heavy Lorry driving test he was attached to the Motor Transport section.
His Commanding Officer was Group Captain Walker, a distinguished veteran
of the Dam Busters raid.
In August 1955 he was detached to 1110 Marine Coast Unit, situated at
Immingham docks, an Air Sea Rescue base, previously a small naval base during
World War II, where he was to spend most of his service. This Unit consisted of
30 personnel, operating Sea Plane Tenders and High Speed Launches, his duties
often took him out to sea.
During this period Allied Forces were serving in many parts of the world;
Germany, Kenya, the Far East, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cyprus. In July, 1956, he
was put on 12-hour standby and within days he was off to Cyprus. It was the
beginning of the Suez crisis, he soon found himself at Akrotiri, a base still under
construction. Security was a big problem where it was suspected there were
many Eoka sympathisers and there were many incidents including the blowing
up of the NAAFI early one morning. Passwords were often changed twice a
day. Personal security was important with advice to vary routine, not heeded
by one person who was blown up while going for his regular swim. Another
piece of advice Russell hasn't forgotten – not to sit with your back to a door or
window, even after 55 years he still observes!
Operating under such constant pressure, it wasn't until he received a parcel from
home, containing a large chocolate cake, that he realised it had been his 20th
birthday 2 days prior.
With his 6 months tour of duty completed he received the welcome news on
Christmas Eve that they should pack up – they were going home, and arrived
just in time to join their comrades back in Immingham for Christmas Dinner.
Part through the meal he managed a quick phone call home to tell his mother
and family of his safe return. A wonderful Christmas present for all the family,
they had cause to rejoice that Christmas.
It wasn't until a parent himself, some years later, he realised what an anxious
time it is for the families who have servicemen serving abroad in war situations.
His own family had gone through anxious times before – his father had served
2 years at the Northwest Frontier at the end of the first World War, an uncle was
wounded in the trenches at Passchendaele, two other uncles served in WW II at
Dunkirk and North Africa.
Russell completed his service at Immingham in February 1958. Although he
enjoyed his service, making many friends, he found the situation Cyprus quite
a challenge.
This year Hexham is again proud to have the presence of 39 Regiment RA in
the Parade. Here is an update on the Regiment’s last 12 months’ service.

Over the last year the 39th Regiment Royal Artillery has continued to support high
tempo operations in Afghanistan as well as focussing on commitments closer to
home. 132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop), marching in the parade today,
returned from operations in April 2010 after a successful tour employing our
primary weapon system the ‘Multiple Launch Rocket System’ which is capable of
delivering a guided rocket over a substantial range with a high degree of accuracy.
Currently on operations we have 74 Battery (The Battle Axe Company) who
replaced 176 (Abu Klea) Battery at the beginning of October this year.35 Battery
have started their pre deployment training and 56 (Olpherts) Bty remain
supporting all sub units both on operations and in barracks.
On the home front the Regiment has been involved in a number of activities from
sporting success, Adventure Training and notably receiving the ‘Freedom of
Hexham’ in June of this year which was a huge honour for all those involved.
Today finds the Regiment heavily committed to preparing (training), deploying
and recovering from operations in Afghanistan. The Regiment continues to remain
as strong as ever and continues to do the job so many have done before.
Today we remember those that have fallen and the spirit with which they serve
their country. We may only hope that we can continue to serve our country with
the same loyalty and honour.

We will remember them.

 132 BATTERY
(THE BENGAL ROCKET TROOP)
ROYAL ARTILLERY

On the 13th September 1816, The

Bengal Rocket Troop was formed as a
camel mounted unit in the service of
the Honourable East India Company
under the command of Captain (later
General) William Sampson Whish.
The Troop carried a total of 912, 6
pound rockets, either in camel carried
buckets or by horse drawn carts. The
Troop first saw action at the Siege of
Hattrass in February 1817 and in the same year played a decisive role in the
Pindari/Mahratta War with the mountainous terrain during the latter conflict
resulting in the Troop being dependant on horseback.
The Troop served in the first Burmese War (1824-26) as the Rocket Troop Bengal
Horse Artillery. In 1826 they were re-titled to The 2nd Troop, 2nd Brigade
Bengal Horse Artillery when the Troop lost its rockets and gained 6 and 12
pound guns. It was involved in all the major Indian campaigns of the 19th
century in particular Maharajpore (1843) and Goojerat (1849). Then during
service in Great Britain from 1878 to 1897, The Troop was re-classified as the
52nd Field Battery which was also followed by further service in India from
1897 to 1911.
In the First World War the Battery was almost lost on 28th August 1914 at Le
Cateau, losing all its guns during the retreat from Mons. However, it saw out
the rest of the War in Flanders and 5 months in Italy. After the Great War the
Battery served in the Great Britain until 1926 and became mechanised in 1924.
In 1927 the Battery deployed to China (Shanghai) followed by a return to India
for the remaining years prior to the Second World War.
During the Second World War the Battery deployed as part of 1st Field
Regiment to many locations; the Western Desert, Eritrea, Syria, Palestine,
Tunisia, Italy and Greece but is particularly proud of its part in the action near
Sidi Rezegh when it engaged 28 German tanks in the open destroying 7 and
damaging 4 forcing the enemy to withdraw. During this action the Battery
suffered more than 50 casualties and a total of 5 guns were disabled.
In 1947 the Battery was re-classified as 132 Field Battery and in 1948 the
Regiment converted to the Heavy Anti Aircraft role until the disbandment of
Anti Aircraft Command in 1955 when the Battery was placed in suspended
animation. The Battery was revived as 132 Field Battery in 6th Field Regiment
at Munsterlager in 1958 and in August 1962 the Battery moved to Larkhill with
the Regiment acting as the Support Battery for the Royal School of Artillery.
In 1966 the Regiment deployed to the Far East where it served in Malaya,
Borneo and Sarawak until February 1968. As a result of the reorganisation of
1 (BR) Corps in 1978, the Battery joined 39th Regiment at Sennelager where it
remained until April 1982. Between 1971 and 1981 the Battery completed 5
operational tours in Northern Ireland.
In 1982 following the further reorganisation of British Forces stationed in
Germany, 132 Battery returned to Larkhill to form a support gun battery at the
Royal School of Artillery. In May 1982, 16 members of the Battery deployed a
Battery Tactical Grouping (1 Battery Commander’s Party and 2 Observation
Parties) for the Falklands campaign. Then in July 1985 the Battery returned to
39th Heavy Regiment RA in Sennelager, equipped with M110 A2 8 inch
howitzer guns.
In the September of 1990 the Battery were pleased to witness the return of
rockets when they received the American M270 Multiple Launch Rocket
System (MLRS) and within 5 months saw active service in the 1991 Gulf War
in Iraq.
In 1993 and 1996, the Battery deployed with the Regiment as part of the United
Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus having moved with the Regiment from
Germany to Albemarle Barracks, Northumberland in August 1995. In July 1998
the Battery deployed to Northern Ireland as the Urban Reinforcement Battalion
followed by deploying a Troop to Northern Ireland in 1999. This was then
repeated as a Battery deployment to the Province in 2000 and again in 2002/03.
In 2004 the Battery deployed to Cyprus for 4 months as the Cyprus
Reinforcement Regiment in order to enable another Gunner Regiment to
deploy to Iraq. In 2006/07 the Regiment deployed on Op TOSCA, Cyprus,
where a number of Battery personnel deployed with other sub units.
2007 saw the Battery simultaneously performing Public Duties at Windsor
Castle whilst providing a half Battery to support the Loitering Munitions
Capability Demonstrator. The Battery also deployed a Troop to Iraq with a
UOR precision strike capability on Op TELIC 11, which was subsequently
replaced in 2008 by another Troop from the Battery who deployed on Op TELIC
12. 2008 also saw the Battery administer both the 1st Artillery Brigade
leadership courses and the regimental Alpine ski team.
War Memorial, Hexham
There are many names engraved on Hexham’s War Memorial in the
Abbey Grounds and here are details of five who died in Service to our
Country. We acknowledge the help of Alan I Grint author of ‘The Faith
and Fire Within’ for allowing reproduction of the biographies of those
who died during the First World War.

2nd Lieutenant Frank Priestman Lees

Frank was the eldest son of Councillor Herbert Lees and his wife Annie, of
Elvaston Road, Hexham. Although born in Workington Frank came to Hexham
at an early age when his father became manager of Hexham Gas Works. He was
educated at Battle Hill School and at Friends School, Ackworth, where he was
reported to be academically bright. He returned to Hexham to qualify as a gas
engineer under his father at Hexham Gas Works after which he went to Preston
Gas Works as a chemist, followed by two years at Leeds University. After
University he worked at Barnard Castle and Wolverhampton before returning to
Hexham to join his father as his assistant. After this he joined the West’s Gas
Improvement Company Ltd in Manchester. At the outbreak of WW1 his job was
to supervise the installation of vertical retorts at Darlington. He immediately joined
the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Commercials) at Newcastle. In April 1915
he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant with the 1/4th Battalion and was mobilised to
France in July. He was killed by shrapnel whilst on duty in the trenches near Ypres
on 17 June 1916 aged 26 and was buried in France just behind the trenches at La
Laiterie Military Cemetery..

Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant Andrew George Richardson. Andrew was

born in Gateshead in 1874 and joined the Northumberland Volunteer Battalion as
a bugler. On the establishment of the Territorial Army in 1907 he became a Non
Commissioned Officer in 1/4th Northumberland Fusiliers. He went to France with
the Battalion in April 1915 serving in all the conflicts involving the Battalion. In
the winter of 1917/1918 he was admitted to the Lord Derby War hospital suffering
from “shell shock”. He was returned to Hexham but had a relapse and died in
Morpeth on 21 June 1918 aged 43. For many years before the war Andrew was the
landlord of the Bush Inn (now demolished and the Council Chambers erected in
its place), a position he inherited from his father. Latterly, he lived with his wife,
Sarah Annie, at 14 St. Wilfred’s Road, Hexham. Andrew is buried in St Andrew’s
Cemetery, Hexham.

Sailor Patrick Dent. Patrick was a Merchant Seaman sailing on S.S. Mabriton. This
ship was a British cargo steamer (6,690 tons) built in 1920 and owned by Chapman
& Son, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. On the 25th September 1940, when on route from
the Tyne for Father Point in Canada, in ballast, she became separated from her
convoy OB-216. She was torpedoed just outside the Western Approaches without
warning by the German submarine U-32 and sunk. 12 crew were lost from a total
of 37, of whom Patrick (aged 23) was one. The U-32 was herself sunk on 30 October
1940 north-west of Ireland, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS
Harvester and HMS Highlander. There were 9 German dead and 33 survivors.
Patrick’s name is inscribed on the Tower Hill Memorial which commemorates men
and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died in both World
Wars and who have no known grave.

Leading Aircraftman Henry Thompson. Henry was the son of Joseph and
Catherine Thompson, of 44, Chareway, Hexham. Before joining the Royal Air
Force in January 1939 he had a reputation in Hexham for boxing and was the
boxing champion of Northumberland Boys Clubs for two years in succession. He
was a Leading Aircraftman with the Royal Air Force and was posted to the
Middle East in 1940. When he died on 4 June 1943 aged 22 the notification of his
death said that he had been carrying out “gallant and hazardous duties” when
he died on air operations. He is buried in Belgrade War Cemetery.

Flight Lieutenant William Alan Clarke Patterson DFC. Alan was the son of
William and Margaret Armstrong Patterson, of 8 Burnland Terrace, Hexham and
was serving as a Navigator with 466 (Royal Australian Air Force) Sqdn when he
died on 8 April 1945 aged 23. He was the navigator on a seven man crew which
had been posted from 578 Squadron to 466 Squadron. On 9 April, returning from
a raid on Hamburg, their aircraft (a Handley Page Halifax) crashed in bad
weather trying to land RAF Driffield. All the crew died. Flight Lieutenant
Patterson had been awarded the DFC while serving with No.78 Squadron in 1943.
 A REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
Yesterday morning the Mayor, accompanied by members of Hexham
Town Council, Royal British Legion, Army Cadets and Air Force Cadets
laid Remembrance Day poppy crosses on each one of the forty-six War
Graves in St Andrews Cemetery, Hexham. Following this a Poppy
Wreath was laid at the War Memorials in Hexham Hospital. These
Memorials were moved to Hexham Hospital from the now demolished
Hexham War Memorial Hospital.

Brief histories of a few of those who are remembered during this

ceremony at the War Graves follow and the reason the ceremony begins
at the grave of Capt. Arthur S. Gardner is that he was always closely
involved with Hexham’s Remembrance Day event and is fondly
remembered by very many people.

Capt Arthur Southwick Gardner. Arthur Gardner joined the Royal

Northumberland Fusiliers and was one of the first to land in Normandy in
1944. He was part of the group that liberated the town of Hermonville sur
Mer and the town named a street in honour of his efforts. He was injured
in action and after recovering, was commissioned into the Coldstream
Guards. For many years Captain Gardner was the Chairman of the Hexham
branch of the Royal British Legion and President of the Newcastle branch
of the Coldstream Guards Association. As well as serving as a Councillor
on Hexham Urban District and Tynedale Councils he was always closely
involved with Hexham’s Remembrance Day commemorative events. He
died on 10 November 1995.

Sgt Thomas William Burn. Died 2 February 1919. Born in Hexham on 2

June 1887 and was a shoemaker when he emigrated to Canada. He attended
Trinity Methodist Church, in Beaumont Street before he emigrated,
although his attestation papers gave his religion as Church of England. He
married Eva Burn in Ontario. He volunteered on 24 January 1916 and
probably landed in France in October 1916 with the main body of the 1st
Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops. He listed his wife Mrs. Eva Burn, of
Mimico as his next of kin on enlistment. He was 28 years and 7 months of
age when he joined up and stood 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall. He had blue eyes,
fair hair and a fair complexion. He was a Sergeant in the 1st Battalion,
Canadian Railway Troops when he was killed on February 2, 1919. In the
1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a machinist living on the north
side of Macdonald Street, Mimico. There is no record of how he died,
although it is likely that it was from injuries received as his death occurred
three months after the armistice was signed. He was 31 years old.

Pte Alfred Thomas Andrew Noble. Alfred was born in Hexham and was
the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Noble of St Andrews Road. He
was employed by Robb’s department store before joining the
Northumberland Fusiliers in early 1918. He was undergoing basic training
in the Midlands when he contracted ‘flu. From this he got pneumonia,
which killed him on 29 October 1918, aged 18.

Sapper James William Dodds. James was the son of Jane and the late
Alexander Dodd of 6 Quatre Bras, Hexham. He was with 5th Provisional
Company, Royal Engineers when he died on 9 November 1919 aged 34 in
the Queen Mary's Military Hospital, Whalley.

Sergeant Harold Brown Hetherington. Harold was the son of John

Westgarth Hetherington and Sarah Ann Hetherington, of Haydon Bridge.
He was serving as a Sergeant in No1 Cadet Battalion (formerly 136 Army
Troops Company) of the Royal Engineers when he died in the Military
Hospital, Newark on 30 November 1917 aged 32.

Private George Basil Porteous. George was the son of the late George and
Isabella Porteous, of Deneholme, Hexham and husband of Cecilia Porteous,
of 13, St. Wilfred's Rd., Hexham. He served in the Royal Defence Corps
which was formed in August 1917 from the Home Service Garrison
Battalions of 18 Regiments. It was made up of old soldiers who were beyond
the age set for combatant service, or those who were not fit for duty
overseas, sometimes as the result of wounds received on active service. The
Corps was similar in some ways to the Home Guard of the Second World
War. Its job was to guard railways, tunnels, roads and ports, thus relieving
other troops for front line service. George died in 1 Lincoln Terrace, Hexham
on 1st February 1920 aged 36.

Pte Richard Dalzell Oliver. Richard was the youngest son of Thomas and
Elizabeth Oliver of 3, Beaumont Street, Hexham. He enlisted with the
Northumberland Fusiliers and went to France in April 1915. In that month
he took part in the fighting that was to be known as the second battle of
Ypres. He was then transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps and in December
1916 was transferred to England suffering from ill health. He was
convalescing when he had a relapse and died in Brighton Hospital on 22
November 1917 aged 23.
Gunner John Robert Dodd. John was the son of Thomas and Catherine
Dodd of Hexham. He enlisted in South Shields in the Durham Brigade of
the Royal Garrison Artillery and died in Dover (of wounds received) on 11
October 1917 aged 35.

Sergeant Henry Basil Harrison. Henry was the son of Norman Harrison,
and of Gertrude Harrison, of Sunderland, Co. Durham. He was serving in
the RAFVR as a Sergeant Pilot when he died in Towthorpe, Fimber on 13
April 1943 aged 22 while serving in RAF Driffield

Private John Robson. John was the only son of John and Hannah Robson
of Market Place, Hexham. He was employed as a merchant tailor before
enlisting in the 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He went to
France with the Battalion in April 1915 and was involved in the second
battle of Ypres. He was wounded in the elbow in 1917 and transferred to
home duties in England. He got the ‘flu in December 1917 and died of
pneumonia in Margate on 10 January 1918 aged 24.
 Sunday 14th November at 7.30pm
The Forum Cinema pays tribute to our veterans on Remembrance Day
with a screening of JOYEUX NOËL (MERRY CHRISTMAS) a heart-
warming World-War-I story about courage and dignity.

On Christmas Eve 1914 in northern France, officers and soldiers from

Scotland, Germany and France put down their weapons to share wine
and food, exchange photographs and memories and play a game of
football in the snow. This extraordinary true-life event, an act of human
generosity and humility, is told with genuine poignancy by director-
screenwriter Carion. The cast are superb and fully contribute to what is
an elegant and atmospheric European classic.

FREE tea or coffee when you present this programme at Scott’s Café
today.
 Hexham welcomes and appreciates the presence of 39 Regiment RA The
Welsh Gunners, the Territorial Army, the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training
Corps, the Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade and Everyone taking part in today's
Remembrance Day Parade.

**********************

This is the twelfth Remembrance Day Ceremony organised by

Hexham Town Council and the Council wishes to pay tribute and thanks to
those Royal British Legion members and many other individuals who have
assisted the Council with this year’s event. In particular the Council wishes to
thank Lt. Col. Paul Tombleson RA, Commanding Officer 39 Regiment RA The
Welsh Gunners for the generous assistance he and his men have given to the
Council.

Hexham Town Council,

Council Office, St Andrew’s Cemetery,
West Road
Hexham NE46 3RR