Herald - Issue 397

29th October 2020 • The HERALD • Page 27 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v Local War Horse Hero Born in 1900 omas Edward Kitcher attempted to join the army at just 16 years of age to ght in France, however a er nding out he was too young to sign up they sent himhome before he made it over the channel. Undeterred omas tried again a month or so later, this time successfully getting enlisted, despite still being only 16. Posted o to France he was responsible for the care of war horses that pulled the gun carriag- es and ambulances to the front line. omas survived the war and came home to marry going on to have ve children, living in Dibden Purlieu until his death in 1962 aged 62. Thomas Edward Kitcher, aged 18 years (Imagining the bedtime prayer of one little girl, during the terrible years of WW1) Please send Daddy safely home, Mummy and me feel so alone. I cry myself to sleep at night, Holding teddy really tight. Daddy’s gone so far away, To fight some nasty men they say. Please send daddy home to me, I want him close as close could be. I want to play with Daddy in the sun, Daddy’s strong and so much fun. Please tell the nasty men to go, Cos’ mummy and me we love him so. I miss his kisses every night, And I want him back to hold me tight. To tickle me to make me laugh, But all I have is a photograph. Please Jesus send my Daddy home, So I can hold him tight. Mummy wants to hold him too, She cries in bed at night. If you’ll send daddy home to me, I’ll love you more each day. Dear Lord Jesus hear my prayer. Please send him right away, Please send Daddy safely home, Mummy and me feel so alone, We cry ourselves to sleep at night, Both holding teddy really tight! Dear Lord Jesus by David Wilson Totton Remembrance Parade 2020 Update It is with the deepest regret that the Totton and Eling Remembrance Day Parade Committee have to announce that due to the COVID-19 situation and Government rulings that it will not be possible to hold a Remembrance Parade or service this year. Sadly this also applies to the service on Armistice Service on 11th November. is is not a decision that has been taken lightly however there is no way such a mass gathering of people can occur or be safe in the current circumstances. Instead they are encouraging all members of the public to participate in their own act of Remembrance so that as a community the Two Minute Silence is observed in our own homes at 11am on Sunday 8th and Wednesday 11th November . Wreaths will still be available to the groups who usually receive them as well as others who wish to lay one this year. Please get in touch if you would like to receive a wreath this year to the Poppy Appeal Organisers on: poppy@ compark.co.uk or 02380 873143. All through Remembrance both the members of the committee and volunteers will be ensuring the memorial is clean and looked a er. Committee members will ensure all wreaths are secured to the memorial so they will come together to form a tribute to all those who have and do serve for the coming months, for the whole community to see and remember. Please note the parade committee was set up four years ago for the sole purpose of organising the parade and service, and operate independently of the Royal British Legion, Council or other organisation. If anyone has any questions or issues they would like to discuss about anything to do with Remembrance or Parade please get in touch or through tottonparade@ hotmail.com We Will Remember Them Cigarettes for Wounded Soldiers e charming snapshot was taken by the ‘Southampton Pictorial’ photographer during a visit to Cadland House, Fawley, the beautiful residence of the late Mrs. Maldwin Drummond, an American lady, who converted the house into a Red Cross Hospital. It shows Mrs. Drummond’s daughter, Miss Gwendoline Marshall Field, handing cigarettes to a bed- ridden Scot’s soldier. Having lit up, he settled down to peruse the ‘Pictorial’. The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance. Every year volunteers distribute over 40 million poppies to help vital work in supporting the Armed Forces community. is year, due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, you may see less devoted volunteer Poppy Appeal collectors in your communities, but you can help family, friends, and neighbours to get hold of their poppy and contribute to the appeal. You can request 20 poppies free of charge by completing a form online ww . b r i t i s h l e g i o n . org.uk/get-involved/ ways-to-give/poppies- in-the-post. You can then give them to your friends and family and ask them for a donation to support the Armed Forces community. Along with the poppies, you will also receive information on how you and those you share your poppies with can give as well as how to distribute the poppy safely to ensure everyone can wear the poppy with pride. Don’t Delay – Request your envelope by 31st October to ensure you receive it before Remembrance. anks to the Appeal, we can ensure our Armed Forces community and their families, both past and present, receive the support they need and deserve. POPPIES BY POST