he Team are also working on a pilot project to increase awareness of Commonwealth War Graves working with the Big Ideas Company who have been commissioned to manage the pilot programme.
Five Sutton United players were killed during WW1 and the Community Officer Rob Hardy is completing a project to find out about those players and their backgrounds with colleagues at the Club. The 5 were: -
Albert Shrubsole, S Trendall, C Smith, William Shrubsole, H Weston.
Some of the men and women buried in Commonwealth War graves in the Borough include the following in St Dunstan Churchyard, the nearest to the Club’s ground. Cllr Simon Wales Deputy Leader of LB Sutton read out the names.
Arthur Beynon (31) Sergeant Air Gunner RAF, Fred Horton (28) Private East Surrey Regiment, John Gay (20) Second Officer Merchant Navy.
Dave Farebrother, chairman of the board of directors, commented on how well the ceremony had been received. "People came out of the bars early and observed the ceremony in silence with great decorum and respect. It was quite a moving experience and I’d like to thank everyone who worked hard to make it happen."
Cllr Simon Wales, Deputy Leader of LB Sutton, commented, "Remembering the past, and learning from the mistakes of the past, is what makes the world a better place. I am very honoured to have played a small part in this act of remembrance".
In order to utilise the information collected, a local studies module is being developed by the Community Team for use by local schools to use as part of their National Curriculum Studies. A section on World War 1 and 2 will be included as well focusing on other key issues from the Club’s history and current issues.
For further information contact Rob Hardy Community Officer at [email protected] /01403 272949