Families of WW1 victims sought for memorial service

With just over a month until Remembrance Sunday, the families of people who died in World War One are being sought to attend the two minutes’ silence at the Society of the Sacred Heart’s war memorial at the University of Roehampton.

The 11 metre long memorial, described as ‘absolutely unique’ by the Imperial War Museum, holds plaques commemorating 275 men and women, most of whom died as a result of the ‘war to end all wars’. They were relatives of the nuns and children who attended the Society of the Sacred Heart Convent school which was located on the Digby Stuart College Campus.

Jackie Brown, Head of Digby Stuart College, said: “The University and Digby Stuart College in particular have been part of the Roehampton community for a long time and our hope is descendants of some of those whose names are on our memorial will still live locally. We have been researching this for several months already and have been able to contact some families, but we would like to find as many as we can before Remembrance Sunday.

“The 11 November this year will obviously be a very important reminder of our past, so anyone who lost a relative and who knows their name is on the memorial would be welcomed at our commemorations. We would be honoured to have them mark the two minutes’ silence with our students and staff.”

The University will hold a short service from 10.45am on Tuesday 11 November at the memorial, near the main entrance to the campus in Roehampton Lane, which will include the silence. The service, to be led by the University’s Catholic priest, Fr Robert Kaggwa, will be open to all in Roehampton.

If you have a relative whose name may be on the memorial, contact Fr Robert Kaggwa via email at R.Kaggwa@roehampton.ac.uk or call 020 8390 3000.

September 18, 2014