RESEARCHING the men connected with West End Baptist Church on the Memorial in the church who lost their lives during the First World War, I was struck by one named Albert Emm who died exactly 100 years ago two days after this year’s Remembrance Sunday, i.e. 14th November 1917.
Albert was with the Wiltshire Regiment and was buried in the Gaza Military Cemetery – therefore we assume that he was killed in action in Palestine.
Looking for the man behind the name, I discovered that he left a widowed mother and a teenage brother who lived on what is now called Leigh Road. I began to think about the two of them left without son, brother and bread-winner; and obviously my mind thought about widows, mothers, sons and siblings of all generations and all nationalities who have had their hearts wrenched out because of war and violence.
It has been thought-provoking to see different yarn-bombs in various towns: the one in Warminster lit up at night-time, another at a Baptist Church I visited in Chipping Sodbury, and of course our own in the town. I know that members of our Family History Group are planning a very special one for next year marking the end of the First World War, which will also include a reminder of the animals who lost their lives during the conflict, and highlight the fact that the loss of life in war also brought about peace.
As well as this being the message of Remembrance Sunday, it is also the message of Easter. The human conflict that took the Son of God to the Cross, also lead those who grasp hold of its true message to find the peace that is eternal. “for Christ’s death on the cross has made peace with God for all by his blood.” [Colossians 1:20]
Rev Graham Warmington
