Shanklin is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Old Village War memorial, with a special film, narrated by the Island’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon.
The film is dedicated to all of the service personnel, members of emergency services and local residents that died in both World Wars and other conflicts.
The Memorial is made of Portland Stone and was unveiled at 11:00 on 11th November 1920 – the same materials, time and date as the Cenotaph in London: it was unveiled by Mrs White Popham, whose descendant Mrs Anne Springman MBE is featured in the film.
Mrs Sheldon said:
‘It is important, in these most difficult of times, to reflect on moments like this Centenary, and I know that the researchers have tried to ensure the film is a tribute to the memories honoured at locations across the Town and at the Old Village Memorial’.
Shanklin Town Mayor Steve Knight added:
‘The Town Council, with the help of Curator Terry Carpenter, have renovated the memorial, invested in commemorative benches and plan an information panel, linked to the film, because of the importance of the memorial’.
The film is available on youtube: https://youtu.be/0onrS9iZ16M from 11.15 on Wednesday 11th November 2020 and includes the background to the gates, plaques from sites in Shanklin, and contributions from the local churches, many of which were damaged during the 1939-45 conflict.
Mrs Sheldon concluded:
‘The film honours those that made the ultimate sacrifice, and will be accessed for years to come, as we will continue to remember those to whom this film is dedicated’.
You can watch it below:
