WWI Commemoration Events in September

31st August 2018

As we get closer to the centenary of the end of WWI, the final events of Worcestershire World War One Hundred, the countywide commemoration, are taking place this autumn. An exhibition and Drumhead Service are happening in September, which everyone is invited to.

Fields of Battle – Lands of Peace 14 – 18

This stunning photographic exhibition by international, award-winning photo-journalist, Michael St. Maur Sheil arrives on 1 September until 30 September.

The healing power of time and nature are captured in these stunning landscape images of the battlegrounds of the First World War, all around the world, as they are today.

Exploring the theme of reconciliation to mark the centenary of armistice, the images highlight the impact of the war on the nations and societies involved; commemorating the role played by people of diverse races and creeds in what was the first truly global armed conflict.

This is the final exhibition in a series of outdoor photographic displays which have sought to introduce the public to the issues and events of the First World War. The images are presented in large format on an impressive scale.

Worcestershire First World War Remembrance Ceremony

15th September 2018 12:30pm Gheluvelt Park Worcester

The Worcestershire World War One Hundred Team and Worcestershire Lord Lieutenant will host a special commemorative service in Gheluvelt Park. The Drumhead Service, with the Bishop of Dudley, will be followed by an act of commemoration with poppies from the Tower of London and the Worcestershire World War One Hundred team are asking those who purchased poppies to bring them along.

Based on military tradition, a Drumhead service is a religious service conducted in the field during conflict and in peacetime, with neatly-piled drums draped with flags creating a makeshift altar.

Towards the end of the ceremony the public are encouraged to create a sombre spectacle with their own poppies, purchased by people across the county after the Tower of London art installation in 2014, and brought to Ghleuvelt Park for this day to remember members of their family who died in the First World War.

The major art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London, marked one hundred years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies were used in the installation. Each poppy represented a British military fatality during the war.

Poppies at Hereford Cathedral

Adrian Gregson, WAAS Collections manager & Worcestershire WW100 Project Manager said: “Like many people I was incredibly moved by the art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in 2014 and purchased my own poppy.

“I bought the poppy specifically to remember my great uncle Corporal Erlam Greaves who was killed on 9th April 1918 at Givenchy in France. Talking to my Grandma about him is what inspired me to work on my PhD and ultimately to write a book about his battalion, 7th King’s Liverpool Regiment.

More generally, I wanted to have some permanent record of the Centenary of the Great War and having one bit of that immensely moving and impressive art installation at the Tower at once made me feel part of the wider commemoration as well as being able to be specific in my remembrance.”

The service is open to all to attend. Visitors are requested to be present by 12 noon and the service will start at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 15.

Worcestershire World War One Hundred is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Find out more about the project at http://www.ww1worcestershire.co.uk/