Roll of Honour Rededication & Act of Remembrance 2023

Lest we forget

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is proud to be the custodian of one of, if not the only, original roll of honour commemorating the 2500 GWR (Great Western Railway) staff who made the ultimate sacrifice during WW1.

101 years ago, on Armistice Day 1922 the chairman of the Great Western Railway, Viscount Churchill, unveiled the bronze war memorial on Platform 1 at Paddington Station. At the same time as the memorial the GWR produced lithographed Rolls of Honour mounted in wooden frame and these were put up at the principal station. Just 4 of these survive today, at Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Exeter St David s and Newton Abbot, but these rolls are replicas. The one here at Bishops Lydeard, in the Gauge Museum, is an original.

By 2002 the rolls were in a very poor condition, and they were carefully removed by expert conservator and facsimiles were produced with these going back to above mentioned station with the help of the Railway Heritage Trust. When the Gauge Museum was refurbished in 2019/2020 the plastic frame and perspex were replaced by a wooden frame and glass. The wooden frame was based on the one at Exeter St Davids with the GWR coat of arms on the top. Our frame was made by an apprentice at a joinery in Isle Abbots. Due to Covid intervening we were unable to dedicate the memorial at the time, so we held our service this year.

We were very honoured to have the presence of Deputy Lord Lieutenant Clinton Rogers, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant represented the sovereign and Bishop Nigel Stock conducted the service whilst 40 Commando provided an honour guard of a sergeant and 4 men, 3 marines and one seaman. The 40 Commando team laid a wreath on behalf of the regiment and lit the candle of remembrance. John Leach played his trumpet to sound the Last Post and Reveille.

The Trust had previously invited family members of those fallen listed on the Roll of Honour to attend and were very pleased to welcome Laurie Hockley with his wife and father as relatives of one of the soldiers mentioned on the GWR Roll of Honour.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust

November 2023

John Leach played playing the Last Post and Reveille.

40 Commando standing guard

40 Commando providing a honour guard starting the Remembrance Service

Bishop Nigel Stock blessing and rededicating the Roll of Honour

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Clinton Rogers addressing the congregation

L-R: Bishop Nigel Stock, WSRHT President Chris Austin OBE and Ian Camp, Trust Curator

40 Commando forming guard

40 Commando laying their Remembrance wreaths

40 Commando marching to the Service

WSRHT Remembrance Wreath

Roll of Honour Stories

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WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) is saddened to learn of the passing of David Baker who held lots of roles across the West Somerset Railway.

A statement from the Trust’s President, Chris Austin.

David Baker's interest in railways was kindled by his grandfather and uncle, both of whom worked for the Southern Railway. He was an enthusiastic and devoted supporter of the West Somerset Railway for over 25 years. David was Catering Manager for the railway's buffet cars and later was Commercial Director and in 2013, became Vice Chairman of the PLC and in 2015 was acting Chairman. In 2016 he became a trustee and Company Secretary for the Steam Trust (now the WSR Heritage Trust), while continuing to support the PLC as Share Registrar. After the retirement of Pete Treharne, David took on the role as curator of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum. Working with him in these roles was his wife Jill, who survives him and also worked for the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Andy Forster, fulfilling the key role of maintaining locomotive records and also minuted meetings of the Trust's board. David retired as a trustee in 2020.

WSRHT President, Chris Austin OBE

Rail200 Celebrations: Young Engineers Day with Chris Vine – April 2025

February 22, 2025

Rail200 Celebrations: Young Engineers Day with Chris Vine - 9th - 10th April 2025

In celebration of Railway 200 the West Somerset Railway are offering two dates where you can come for one day dedicated to learning about everything steam in our Young Engineers Days with Chris Vine.

Chris Vine is the author of the Peter’s Railway books, and he will join staff and volunteers from the West Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, to provide a day dedicated to engineering on heritage railways. The day will take a deep dive into the mechanics and some operational factors of the West Somerset Railway and is aimed at Children aged 5-15 with an interest in the railway industry.

Prices for this event could vary from day to day, click on the link below which wil direct you to the West Somerset Railway website to see prices for your chosen date.

The day will begin at 10.30 at the Gauge Museum which is located at Bishops Lydeard station and will include:

Introductory talk from Chris Vine.
Signalbox tour
Model railway tour
Museum tour
A train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead where Chris vine will join you for some activities.
Turntable demonstration.
Some free time at Minehead.
Minehead shed tour (rarely open to the public).
Return travel from Minehead back to Bishops Lydeard.
You will arrive back in Bishops Lydeard at 18.00 where the event will finish.

Also included in your ticket price is a free hardback copy of one of Chris Vine’s Peter’s Railway books.

Tickets are sold for one adult and one child, and the adult must attend for safety reasons. If you have more than one child that wishes to attend, please call us on 01643 704996 to discuss options. Unfortunately due to the areas that attendees will be required to visit we are unable to accept any children under the age of 5.

Please bring a packed lunch with you as catering is not included. We do have a cafe at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead station we also have a buffet car on board the train where refreshments can be purchased throughout your visit with us.

Volunteering Opportunities with Heritage Trust 2025

February 20, 2025

WSRHT Learning Assistant Advertisement

The Heritage Trust is a registered charity and the principal provider of education, learning and community outreach activities and resources on the West Somerset Railway.

We have just agreed our programme for the 2025 season which includes engagement with the national Rail 200 celebrations. There will be a number of exciting and innovative events providing opportunities for primary schools, community groups and families with young children to learn more about the history, heritage and social context of the West Somerset Railway.

We are looking for new volunteers to join our Education and Learning Team as Learning Assistants to help us deliver the programme. Led by Helen Anson, our Education and Learning Officer, the team is looking for people who:

Are comfortable and interested in working with children and groups;
Have good communication and interpersonal skills;
Can adapt facilitation and engagement styles according to the needs of different sessions and topics;
Are team oriented.

Our Learning Assistants need to hold or obtain a DBS certificate [funded by the Trust] on taking up their role.

If you think you might have an interest in this area of the Heritage Trust’s work then please contact:

Helen Anson Education and Learning Officer for an initial informal discussion. Helen can be reached by writing to helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk.
For a volunteer application form and role profile, please contact John Robinson Safeguarding and People Lead on jwrobinson01@talktalk.net or 01823257448.

Completed applications may be forwarded by email to jwrobinson01@talktalk.net or by post marked FAO John Robinson to West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, The Railway Station, Station Road, Bishops Lydeard, TA4 3BX, to be received by not later than 31st March 2025.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Roll of Honour Rededication & Act of Remembrance 2023

Lest we forget

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WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

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WSRHT Learning Assistant Advertisement

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