On a particular Sunday in November many sections of the community gather at the Parish Church of Saint Cuthbert for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service. This is attended by the Mayor of Wells and City Councillors, as well as representatives of service and ex-service associations and the uniformed youth groups.

Last year contingents of the regular services were in attendance. Members of the crew of HMS Somerset, which has the Freedom of the City, paraded, as well as a detachment from the Rifles in honour of Harry Patch who served with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

After the service in church everyone gathered in the churchyard around the war memorial for the laying of the wreathes. One was laid by Harry Patch in remembrance of the friends he fought alongside and who paid the supreme sacrifice.
Wells Branch also has a tradition of gathering at the Conduit in the Market Place on Armistice Day, the 11th November at 11 o’clock for a Last Post Ceremony.

Whilst ever our service men and women are on active service around the world the work of the Royal British Legion will be needed. Although todays’ war casualties are not as many as during the two world wars, the grief felt by the families and friends is just as painful and the need is just as acute.

During the three weeks of the annual Poppy Appeal the Wells Branch fields some 130 collectors. As our area includes all the villages around Wells, then despite our numbers, we are hard pushed to adequately cover it.

Anyone who is in sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Royal British Legion can become a member. If you would like to help in the on going work of the Wells Branch then do contact the Chairman, Robin White on 01749-673550.

(photos appear here courtesy of the Wells Journal)


The Wells Branch was saddened to learn of the death of Harry Patch on Saturday 25th July at the age of 111.
He exemplified the ideals of Service and Duty both in two World Wars and his subsequent business life.
Plucked from his life as a plumber at 18, he was hurled into the most horrendous war in living memory. Having been severely wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, he was brought back to Blighty and eventually passed as 'unfit for active service'.
He returned to his plumbing, eventually setting up his own business. At the start of the 2nd World War, whilst unable to join the army, he nevertheless served his country, community and neighbours by joining the Fire Service and fighting the fires that devastated Bath and Bristolduring the Blitz.
Since turning 100, he began to recount the experiences of his days in the trenches. This attracted a wide interest and brought him many honours from many countries.
The Wells Branch was able each year since 2006 to take out two wreaths to Belgium, and lay one each at the Menin Gate in Ypres and at the War Memorial at Poperinge. This was on behalf of Harry and in memory of the comrades he left behind.
This years planned visit will take and lay wreaths in the same spot and will now be in memory of Harry, the comrades he is now reunited with, and all those who are buried in 'some corner of a foreign field that is for ever England.'
His funeral will be at 12 noon on Thursday 6th August in Wells Cathedral.