Sandown remembers those who served on ANZAC Day

Sandown mayor, Paddy Lightfoot, laid a wreath to commemorate ANZAC Day at Sandown’s war memorial on Monday (April 25), following a brief service conducted by Rev Mark Williams, of Christ Church and St Paul’s.

ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, for those who “served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and recognising “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”. ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.

The day was established to recognise the sacrifices of those who served in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey, in which 800 men from the Princess Beatrice Isle of Wight Rifles served.

Cllr Lightfoot said: “The town council has renovated the war memorial in its centenary year, as well as working with Green Town Volunteers to install commemorative planters, and it is fitting to remember the sacrifices made by service personnel, including Sandown families, on this day.”

Christ Church maintains Commonwealth War Graves, and is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary with an exhibition, which includes details of those interred in the grounds of the church.

Mark Williams said: “It is poignant to remember that Princess Beatrice unveiled the memorial 100 years ago in memory of those involved in the First World War, and we wished to ensure ANZAC Day was also honoured.”

Curator for the memorial, Cllr Frank Baldry, said: “We’ve secured grants to replace the flagpoles and residents wished us to use the memorial for more commemorative events, given the sacrifices made by residents of the town in conflicts across the generations.”

In addition to the exhibition at the church, there is also a YouTube film about the Centenary of the Memorial (Growing Up In The Bay), and a film about Christ Church’s 175th anniversary.