Wreaths laid at Messines in tribute to heroes
Wreaths were laid on behalf of Staffordshire and the Black Country in tribute to local men who lost their lives in the First World War on the anniversary of their deaths.
Two of the soldiers - Thomas Jackson from Cannock and Allan Green of Weeping Cross, Stafford - were killed in the Battle of Messines Ridge, a victorious week-long offensive in June 1917 which was commemorated in a ceremony in Belgium last week.
The battle holds a special significance for local people as the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who spearheaded the assault, were trained on Cannock Chase. A scale model of Messines Ridge and the nearby village, used as a training aid for troops, was found by members of the Chase Project in 2013.
Founders Richard Pursehouse, 54, and Lee Dent, 51, attended the commemorative ceremony at the invitation of the New Zealand authorities.
They also paid tribute to Coseley-born Thomas Barratt who, though not part of that assault, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful attacks on German snipers at nearby Ypres before he was killed by a shell on July 27, 1917.
The pair filmed the dawn rising at 3.10am from the base of the ridge looking up to the New Zealand memorial from the position the Rifle Brigade - the exact hour that a devastating 19 mines planted under enemy lines exploded 100 years earlier.
Along with David Dunham and Shaun Caddick, fellow members of the Chase Project, they also followed the route of Lance Corporal Sam Frickleton of the NZRB's 3rd battalion who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery on the opening day of the Messines attack.
The men placed wreaths on behalf of the Wolverhampton branch of the Western Front Association, which meets every second Saturday of the month at 2pm at St Peter’s Collegiate School, the Royal British Legion, The Chase Project and Staffordshire County Council.
Troops of the different New Zealand Defence Force franchises performed a moving haka at the start of the early morning commemorations.
Mr Pursehouse videoed the ceremony featuring current and former troops donned in khaki and navy uniforms paying tribute to their comrades.
https://youtu.be/QHxD6HV6Kq4
https://youtu.be/4tzeSEXZFsg
