The Bromham Remembrance Bench
On Sunday September 27th at 2pm, members of our community gathered beside the Bromham Community Hub for a truly momentous occasion—the official handover of the new Royal British Legion Remembrance Bench to the village.
The presentation was made by Neil Meadows, Chairman of the Bromham Royal British Legion Branch, to Jim Butler, Chairman of the Parish Council. It was a wonderful turnout of local residents, who gathered in the South Hall afterwards for complimentary drinks and warm conversation, with Matt and Louise running the bar at The Owl in the Hub.
A Piece of History Designed Unique to Bromham
Designed and constructed in 2026 by David Ogilvie Engineering of Kilmarnock, Scotland, from detailed research supplied by the Bromham RBL Branch, the bench tells the story of Remembrance in our village through every conflict since the outbreak of WWI.
Every detail on the bench carries deep local significance:
The Guard of Honour: Two ‘Tommies’ stand solemnly in the centre, commemorating the 65 local young men who served as soldiers in WWI out of the 68 lost. The first killed in action was Private George Cleverley on 13 October 1914.
The Eight Figures: Representing the soldiers, sailors, and airmen across both world wars, as well as the eight local families who tragically lost more than one son in WWI.
The Aviation & Naval Silhouettes: The WWI Sopwith Camel biplanes honour Second Lieutenant Augustus Paget DFC (shot down in Italy just two weeks before the Armistice), while the silhouette of HMS Courageous remembers Marine Charles Wheeler, Bromham's first casualty of WWII. The Lancaster Bomber commemorates Flight Sergeant Roy Fennell and Sergeant Frederick Hard, both shot down in 1944.
The Act of Remembrance: Featuring the Exhortation, iconic red poppies, St Nicholas Church, and local veterans.
Egyptian Marble Poppy & Historical Roots
The bench rests on a stunning base of Egyptian Marble shaped as the iconic RBL Remembrance Poppy. Etched into the paving slabs leading to the bench, in date order of their passing, are the names of the 83 brave men of Bromham, Chittoe, Sandridge Lane, and Sandy Lane who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Commissioned thanks to an extraordinarily generous private grant from a local Military Veteran, the bench sits nestled in the copse beside the Hub, framed by two silver birch trees. These trees were sponsored in 2025 by the Bromham RBL Branch via a generous gift from the Netherstreet Plant Sale, mirroring the two birches planted in 1935 beside the original British Legion Hut.
Village Thanks
Our deep gratitude goes to:
Phil and Richard Dyke for laying the groundworks in memory of their grandfather, Ernest Butler (RBL Chairman for over 40 years and President from 1990 to 2001), and acknowledging their mother, Eileen Dyke, Poppy Appeal Coordinator for 25 years.
Dennis Powney for his meticulous historical research.
The Remembrance Bench is now open to everyone as a quiet place for reflection, memories, and enjoyment of the freedoms so dearly bought. It is dedicated to all those who have served their Country.
Lest We Forget.
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