This post is part of our Community series
We periodically release updates on this topic.
To view all content relating to this topic, click here to view the full collection.
Heroes at Highclere
8th and 9th September 2018
In 2014 Highclere Castle commemorated the beginning of the First World War, through a church service, music, football, air displays, lectures, themes to bring people together to transcend a shared past, a devastating war that should not have happened. We were able to raise funds for charities which support soldiers and families who serve, the doctors and the charities supporting the victims of war those fleeing and homeless.
Four years on we feel equally compelled to commemorate the end of the First Wold War, and in September 1918 the world was moving relentlessly from war to peace. One hundred years later, Highclere Castle and all of us wish to pay our respects to all those who have fought, and are still engaged in combat around the world.
Lady Almina Carnarvon transformed Highclere into a hospital during the First World War, with an operating theatre in Arundel bedroom (also Lady Edith’s bedroom!), thirty nurses and a doctor, Surgeons came down from London and Almina specialised in orthopaedic surgery. We hope again to display the operating theatre and tell the stories of the hundreds of soldiers treated here. We are planning flying displays and would like to recreate the only moment of truce in the First World War, the famous Christmas Day football match. On the Sunday we will hold a Service of Remembrance as we dedicate a statue carved form a cedar tree to the fallen.
If you wish to get involved, if you wish to come please let us know. We are raising money for those who serve and those who save.
Instagram
Excellent idea. Consider vets from all the other wars and include them if possible. Sorry I can’t be there. Are there ways I could get involved while in SW Florida?
I’ll notify my friends and church members of this.
Thank you – the weekend is about remembering the past but giving to those who serve and those who save, today. I would love to think how we could extend it to you…
We heard about this weekend to honor the military and those who save and to commemorate the end of WWI when we attended the Garden Tea Party last Sept. We are planning to attend along with some of our other retired U.S. military friends and are eager to participate in supporting this patriotic event. Please let us know when tickets are available and further details as they become available. I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps, a retired member of the U.S. Senior Executive Service and a former State Senator, Louisiana. What will be the dress for the occasion – are dress military uniforms appropriate? Will there be period dress as was the case for the 20’s garden party we attended?
U.S. Marines fought along side of the British and other allied forces at places such as Belleau Wood, Blanc Mont, Soissons, and other places in 1918. We hope look forward to commemorating these events with our Allies. Semper Fidelis.
I am honoured to hear from you – thank you. Uniforms would be appropriate – the weekend is themed around the First World War but is broader than that. On the Sunday I am going to hold a short service to remember the airmen who crashed here at Highclere during WW2 -( please see the video at the foot of this blog https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/high-above-highclere-january-1st/) and I am going to ask everyone to help me and contribute towards the cost (which is not very great and if that is not desired I have no problem )- the airmen are British, American, Canadian and New Zealanders because I want us all to own it, all to touch the history, all to remember. Any extra raised goes back to the vets of each country.
I have cleared the diary before the September weekend in order to set up and to have the time to welcome and thank any sponsors to perhaps take any people who wish to see the crash sites.. it is whatever helps.