On 22 July, rededication ceremonies will be held in Bazentin, France to commemorate the restoration of two memorials. The first memorial is dedicated to Captain Houston Stewart Hamilton Wallace, of the 10th Worcester Regiment and the second one to Nine Brave Men of the 82 Field Company, Royal Engineers. More information regarding the memorials can be found on the WFA webpage Private Memorials on the Western Front.
Both memorials were severely deteriorated and damaged in the past years. In 2023, Stephen Benson of the Cheshire Roll took the initiative to restore both monuments, in close cooperation with Michèl Admiraal, European Field Officer of the WFA. Supported by crowdfunding and donations, including the Cheshire Roll, WFA and Michèl himself, both monuments are now restored.
The Wallace Houston memorial has had additional and substantial groundwork improvements; the Nine Brave men has been moved a few metres away from the road junction location to protect it from being damaged.
The first ceremony will take place at 12.00 hours at the Houston Wallace memorial, to be followed by a ceremony at the Nine Brave Men memorial. The events will be concluded with a reception at the townhall of Bazentin.
Several British and French delegations will be present to give their respect, including the Sous-Préfet of the Somme Region, the mayors of Bazentin and Albert, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, The Merseyside Branch of the WFA.
Wreaths will also be placed on behalf of the Mayor of Birkenhead and the Lord Lieutenants of Merseyside and Cheshire.
Everyone interested is invited to participate in the ceremony.
For more information or donations, please contact Stephen Benson via stephen@cheshireroll.co.uk