REMEMBERING THE FALLEN

A Monthly Act of Remembrance in Sherborne Abbey

John Gaye

Behind the altar in Sherborne Abbey is the Lady Chapel which has for many years also been the spiritual home of the County Regiment of Foot, originally the Dorset Regiment, then the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and now the Rifles. As well as the more obvious retired Regimental Colours hanging from the walls, there is a glass cabinet housing four Books of Remembrance that list all those whose lives have been taken in war.

Each month, on the third Friday, a short but important ceremony takes place in the Abbey: the reading of the names from the freshly turned pages of those four Books of Remembrance.

The first book covers all those soldiers of the Dorsetshire Regiment who died in the First World War. As you can imagine, it is by far the largest of the four books and takes over 10 years of page-turning to arrive at the last page. It is beautifully illustrated throughout by skilled calligraphers and is a work of art worthy of the memory of those who perished.

The second book covers the Second World War’s losses of the Dorsets and once again is beautifully illustrated, but fortunately takes considerably less time to complete. Many of the names listed are well known by our regimental historians and by the families of those who served at the time.

The third book covers all those campaigns since the Second World War in which members of the Devon and Dorsets and the Rifles have participated. All of these individuals, who served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan or the Falkland Islands are well known and remembered fondly by their family and friends who are still very much alive today.

Finally, the fourth book covers all those from the town of Sherborne who were killed either serving in the armed forces somewhere in the world or killed as civilians in the town or elsewhere. It clearly illustrates how the population of a relatively small market town in Dorset is affected by war.

The ceremony is usually conducted by the Rector of Sherborne, or one of his team, and lasts about 15 minutes. Over the years many individuals from all parts of society have been invited to read the names, ranging from Generals and Admirals through to Riflemen and Cadets and numerous representatives from the town and county. The oldest reader to date was 96 and the youngest was 18 years of age. Reading the names can be quite an emotional experience and on occasions the readers have found it difficult not to be overcome by the sacrifices made by those whose names they read.

All those who have served in the County Regiments over the years regard this linkage with the town and county as something to be valued greatly. Many of the names listed are very much Dorset names which live on today amongst Sherborne families.

This short ceremony takes place every third Friday of the month at 11am. All are very welcome to attend.

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Oliver Darvill, Aged 16 Leweston School

At Leweston School, Oliver plays the violin in the Baroque ensemble and the orchestra, the viola in the Romantic ensemble, sings in the choir and often plays the piano in school concerts. He also showcased his theatrical talents in last year’s school production of Matilda, taking on one of the main parts – getting into character as a very comical Mrs Trunchbull, ‘wowing’ and entertaining the audience.

Oliver recently had the opportunity to travel to Poland with Leweston for a Music Scholar’s trip where he learned about the culture and performed in two concerts. Impressively, Oliver has also gained a place with The National Youth Choir. The Choir is made up of 9 to 25-year-olds from across the UK and is home to some of the best young singers in the world. Gaining his position in the Choir will see Oliver performing at The Royal Albert Hall in April, celebrating the Choir’s 40th anniversary, to an audience of 5,000 people.

Oliver intends to apply to Cambridge University to study Music when he finishes Leweston Sixth Form and to continue his impressive musical endeavours.

Portrait, and

07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk

32 | Sherborne Times | February 2023