From The West Wiltshire District Guide 1978:
The village of Sutton Veny lies about two miles south-east of Warminster, bounded by the water meadows of the River Wylye one side, and the downs on the other.
Like so many villages in this part of Wiltshire, its origins and history date back for many centuries: there are several barrows or tumuli, an Iron Age earthwork called “Robin Hood’s Bower” in Southleigh Wood, the sites of two Roman villas in the parish, and it is reputed that King Alfred collected part of his forces in Eastleigh Wood, then known as Igley [Iglea], before advancing to defeat the Danes at the battle of Ethandune on the south-west edge of Salisbury Plain.
Sutton Veny has depended on agriculture, traditionally sheep farming, to provide the living for its inhabitants although now, in an age of more mobility, there are a number of people living there who work outside the parish in light industry or other occupations.
St. Leonard’s Church, which lies at the south end of the village, is first mentioned in 1220, though it contains Norman work of an earlier date. In former years the focal point of the village was centred around the church but later moved to higher ground to the north, and in 1868 the Church of St. John was dedicated, and has since that date been the parish church; it was built by the Everett family of Greenhill at a cost of £7,000; unfortunately the older church was from that time allowed to lapse into ruins although part of it has now been restored.
During the 1914-18 War a large number of Australian soldiers were stationed at Sutton Veny, and in 1918 during the severe influenza epidemic many died, and are buried in the churchyard of St. John’s; each year on Anzac Sunday a special service is held, and until recent years a short service was broadcast to Australia on Anzac Day.