Following my previous visit to General Smith-Dorrien's grave in May, I decided it would be fitting if something could be done, on behalf of the WFA, to mark the 80th anniversary of his death.
Smith-Dorrien died on 12 August 1930 from injuries received in a car crash.
Following liaison with Andrew Gould, Chairman of the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Branch of the WFA, and the Berkhamstead Local History and Museum Society, a simple ceremony was held on the day.
I travelled down to Berkhamstead and met Andrew and his colleagues at the cemetery. His fellow members were Clive Mead, Anne and Arthur Wooster, Anne and David Heard, and they kindly provided a wreath. Also in attendance were members of the local British Legion, including their standard bearer, Christopher Richards. Ken Wallis of the Berkhamstead Local History and Museum Society took several photographs. An unexpected, but very welcome WFA attendee was Neil Macdonald. His father actually served with II Corps at Le Cateau.
I was really pleased with the turn out. There are several CWG headstones in the cemetery from both World Wars and a couple of private memorials. The Local History and Museum Society are in touch with the Friends of the cemetery in order to safeguard its existence. In particular I am very grateful to for Ken Wallis's permission to use the photographs.
Terry Jackson
Chairman
Lancashire and Cheshire Branch
The Western Front Association.
