Thursday 5th April 2012
The following notes are taken, by permission, from a leaflet in the ANZAC Memorial Chapel at St. John’s Church, Sutton Veny:
In the Great War of 1914-1918 Sutton Veny became a centre for army camps. Fourteen sprang up on the area called the Common, situated between the Warminster and Longbridge Deverill roads. During the latter part of that war these camps were mainly occupied by Australian troops. At least one camp was entirely a hospital and many casualties from the Western Front were brought there. A railway line was built from the former Heytesbury Station, along the river to the Common, to transport the many wounded. Some died and were buried in St. John’s Churchyard, Sutton Veny.
In 1918-1919 a devastating influenza epidemic hit the country, causing two million deaths. The Australians at Sutton Veny did not escape unscathed. Sadly, having survived the horrors of war, a number died away from home and lie buried in the churchyard here. Of 170 war graves, 145 are those of Australians, a large number of whom died of influenza.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission erected a fine memorial and accepted responsibility for the care of the graves.
After the Great War the south transept of St. John’s Church was converted into an ANZAC Memorial Chapel. The Rising Sun badge, which can be seen in the chapel, came from one of the camps in Sutton Veny, and on the walls are pictures of Australian soldiers, both in the camps at Sutton Veny and in action on the Western Front.
Alongside the altar stands the Roll of Honour, proudly displaying the names of those 143 soldiers and 3 nurses of the Australian Forces who died and lie in peace in the Churchyard.
April the 25th is the day set aside to commemorate the heroic actions of the Australian and New Zealand Auxiliary Corps during the landings at Gallipoli in 1915.
Each year on the Sunday nearest this date the children from Sutton Veny Primary School, which adjoins the Church, lay special posies of flowers on the graves in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s area of the churchyard. On the Sunday following this there is held a moving service of remembrance attended by the Australian High Commissioner or his representative, Australian officers and NCOs serving in England, local branches of the British Legion, representatives from the Warminster Garrison, the British Australian Society and other Australian charities, together with a large congregation of local people.
In 1982 it became evident that the Church of St. John in Sutton Veny would have to be re-roofed. This involved a heavy expense for the villagers. When informed of the church’s needs the Australian Government and the Australian Returned and Services League together subscribed very generously towards the cost.
In 1992 a further grant of money was forthcoming to enable the Church Council to establish a permanent memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of those who served in the forces of Australia and New Zealand – the southern transept of St. John’s Church, Sutton Veny, being transformed into what the village is now proud to call “The Anzac Chapel.”
Thus, Sutton Veny maintains its close links with Australia and New Zealand. The Parochial Church Council appoints a representative to liaise with the Australian representatives over the organisation of the special Anzac Day Service.
Almost ninety years have passed since the end of the Great War in 1918, but many visitors from Australia and New Zealand still come to St. John’s Church, Sutton Veny, to pay their respects. A glance at the Visitors’ Book, reveals the names and comments of some of those from “down under” on its pages.
“The people of Sutton Veny are very proud of this association and will continue to foster this in the years to come as they have in the past, honouring the selfless contribution given by those so far from home to our country and freedom. We will remember them.”
