ANZAC Memorial goes ahead despite lockdown

During the First World War soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were stationed across the Upper Wylye Valley as they awaited deployment.

After the war, the parishioners and villagers of the Upper Wylye Valley have continued to care for the 143 Australian ANZAC graves in Sutton Veny churchyard, and the 66 New Zealand and 31 Australian ANZAC graves in Codford.

They have also held an annual ANZAC memorial service and coronavirus wasn't not going to stop this century-old tradition.

Team Rector Trudy Hobson explains:

"In these times we are all experiencing new things, we are all learning so much, and on such important days as ANZAC Day, we are very aware that Church is changing.

"We still don’t know ‘when’ but we can certainly begin discussions on ‘how’ we will be Church when restrictions are lifted. Now is the time to dream big, to explore how we can take forward all that we have experienced during these times.

"So the suspension of public worship did not deter us in our commitment in preserving the memories of those buried in our ANZAC cemeteries, or break our long-standing tradition of remembering this special day.

"The Upper Wylye Valley Team hosted a Zoom ANZAC Memorial Service and we were privileged that in this busy time Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte, Army Advisor at the Australian High Commission, Staff Sergeant Patrick Brock, representing the New Zealand High Commission, Keith Newton, Chairman South West Region of the Britain-Australia Society and The Venerable Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum were able to participate in the service.

"Although digital gatherings can feel less personal and we do experience technical hiccups, feedback from those who attended has been overwhelmingly positive and although we are scattered, it was immensely moving to be able to come together, continuing the long-standing tradition of commemorating ANZAC Day."

"One of our congregation wrote:

""Many thanks for arranging and delivering this important, thoughtful and respectful Service."

"Another who joined this special service commented:

""For you to acknowledge our Anzacs in this way is more than heart-warming. To hear the voices of the children singing the New Zealand and Australian National anthems was glorious. And to see them tending the graves was wonderful. Thank you all.""

During the First World War soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were stationed across the Upper Wylye Valley as they awaited deployment to serve alongside British troops.

Sutton Veny, 2020

Sutton Veny accommodated the 26th Division and No 1 Australian Command Depot with their military hospital, with the New Zealand Depot being stationed in Codford alongside the No 3 New Zealand General Hospital.

But not all those who are buried in our cemeteries died as direct result of the First World War, as many of those that lie in their graves are victims to the Spanish Flu epidemic.

Having survived a terrible war, the impact of a virus on a military community in overcrowded army camps and hospitals was simply devastating.

Since the end of the First World War, ANZAC Day has been a focal point in the calendar of the Upper Wylye Valley.

A recording of the video on the team website gives many more people an opportunity to watch the service and take a moment to remember and honour the ANZAC soldiers who left their homes to serve in the British Commonwealth.