Back in October 2005 we visited the 43rd Wessex Division Memorial at Hill 112 in Normandy. Today we went down to Mere to see the one on Castle Hill there. I got my lad to stand in a similar place to where he did in the 2005 photo.
I like the ‘then and now’ of your son! Mere is just down the road for me but I have never been up to the memorial. Having seen your photos, I need to take a walk!
I'm always learning something new. I didn't know one existed in England. I knew there was a plaque on Bodmin moor but not in Mere. Was it mounted at the same time as the one in Normandy to coincide and did Albert Figg have anything to do with it ?
From IWM list of memorials. 43rd Wessex Division Ceremony Unveiled Date: 21st May 1949 Attended by: GENERAL SIR IVOR THOMAS Dedicated Date: 21st May 1949 Attended by: Local Clergy/Dignitaries
Found this on the Mere Museum website. MEREM:2000.13 | Mere Museum Catalogue Search Brief Description: booklet, order of services for the handing over of the roll of honour of 43rd Wessex Division, in Salisbury Cathedral and the unveiling of the war memorial on Castle Hill, Mere, May 21 1949
There's another memorial like the other 2. 43rd Wessex Division memorial - War Memorials Online MEREM:1995.141 | Mere Museum Catalogue Search Brief Description: photograph, 43rd Wessex Division Memorial at Wynyard’s Gap, Crewkerne, Somerset, c1994
MEREM:1988.123 | Mere Museum Catalogue Search Brief Description: photograph, 43rd Wessex Divisional Memorial on Castle Hill, Mere, Wiltshire 1949. MEREM:1988.124 | Mere Museum Catalogue Search
Thomas was a much feared commander, more so by members of his division than the enemy. I seem to remember that in recognition of his reputation he had the nickname ‘Hitler’.
