This week on the blog, we are taking a look in photos at our recent event which commemorated the 77 staff and students who lost their lives in the First World War. These staff and students are named on a memorial plaque in the University Chapel.
As 2018 marks the centenary of the end of the War, members of the University of Chester Alumni Association (UCAA) felt that the 77 alumni’s sacrifice should be commemorated in some way. This led to extensive research being carried out on the 77 fallen’s early lives, military careers and families – ultimately leading to a special event to commemorate each fallen soldier.
Friday, June 22, saw over 100 guests visit Parkgate Road Campus and attend a Chapel Service dedicated to the 77 fallen, where the wreath of poppies was revealed. This was followed by an exhibition of artefacts, posters and film. Forty-six representatives from the fallen soldiers’ families attended, travelling from as far afield as Australia!
Here are some snapshots from the day…
The wreath of poppies consists of 77 individual textile poppies to represent each fallen alumni and was created by the University Sewing Group as part of the commemorations. It is displayed in specially made cabinet by Rob Nicholas, a cabinet maker from Liverpool.
Seventy-seven wooden remembrance crosses were also decorated by school children in Lancashire, Oxfordshire and Staffordshire, to commemorate each fallen alumni.
Our UCAA volunteers who researched the 77 fallen, found their relatives, visited schools and co-ordinated the Poppy Project.
After the Chapel Service, guests were invited to an exhibition and buffet lunch. Among the artefacts displayed included photographs of some of the 77 fallen, certificates and diaries.
