A war memorial is to be erected in a town which has not lost any military personnel in conflict, writes Dick Skellington
Bradley Stoke is close to Filton airfield, once home to the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC), who produced aircraft parts at a frantic rate during the Second World War. The base needed to be protected from air raids. Savages Wood (just opposite the Willow Brook Centre, the location for the memorial) spent some time as a decoy airfield for Filton, complete with pretend landing lights. But because of its newness Bradley Stoke has so far been spared the human loss of conflict.
Katherine Robinson, the Scout group leader and one of the organisers, said the memorial was to "pass on the tradition" of remembrance to the next generation and be a "visual focus for the town".
"I fully appreciate that Bradley Stoke is a new town and it was just green fields and farmland when the first and second World Wars were being fought," she said.
"But we know unfortunately that conflicts aren't just consigned to these wars but are ongoing and so we're thinking about the future as well.
"So although Bradley Stoke did not exist physically during the wars, I think it's very important that we do have this in the town."
There will be an official dedication ceremony (date to be confirmed), but the Scout Group would very much like to know if anyone has someone they would like considered for inclusion in the roll of honour on the memorial. There are a few restrictions on inclusion, and they would be happy to consider those who fought and died, fought and survived (and have now passed away) or civilians involved in conflicts past or present. Suitability of candidates will be decided by the Friends of Bradley Stoke War Memorial. You can submit a written response to: Management Suite, Willow Brook Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8BS or via email to FriendsofBSWM@gmail.com
Next year will see the nation mark the centenary of the First World War, the 'war to end all wars'. Bradley Stoke shows us how futile that hope was. The new memorial will be unveiled at the town's inaugural Remembrance Parade on November 10 this year.
Dick Skellington 17 July 2013
The views expressed in this post, as in all posts on Society Matters, are the views of the author, not The Open University.
Cartoon by Catherine Pain