On Thursday 30th June 2016, at 1700 hours exactly, the two communities of Worthing in West Sussex and the town of Richebourg in Northern France, will be conducting military services, to honor the 100th anniversary of the loss of 366 young boys and men from the Sussex.

 

During the now infamous WW1 Battle of Boar’s Head in Richebourg, the loss suffered by the Royal Sussex Regiment was so heavy that the conflict as since been referred to as ‘‘the day Sussex died’.

 

Representatives from Worthing, including Councillor Sean McDonald newly elected Mayor of Worthing, have been invited to attend the ceremony in Richebourg​, which will mirror the ceremony in Worthing​, as below.

 

​T​the Worthing Combined Ex-Services Association (CESA), in conjunction with Worthing Borough Council will be holding a Drumhead Ceremony outside Worthing Town Hall, Chapel Road.  This unique and historic service will be conducted by the Revd David Farrant, Hon Chaplain, Worthing C.E.S.A.  Members of the public are invited to attend.

 

A message to the people of Worthing from the Deputy Mayor of Richebourg will be read by Councillor Alex Harman, the newly elected Deputy Mayor of Worthing.

​During the service 22 pupils from St Andrew’s C of E Boys school Worthing will ​lay crosses, each ​cross ​representing each of the ​22 ​fallen soldiers from Worthing.

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More prayers and hymns will follow and The Last Post will be performed by local 12 year old Grace Heath, from Sompting who is the official bugler for the CESA.  The Lancing Brass ​Band of the Royal British Legion ​ will also be playing throughout the ceremony​

 

Councillor Tom Wye, who has organised this event and advised on the service in Richebourg adds “The 30th June 1916 was the worst day of the entire WW1 conflict for Worthing, with at least 22 killed. Whilst other towns and cities commemorate the 1st July, the starting of the Battle of the Somme, it is fitting that Worthing commemorates and remembers those young men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We will  remember each as an individual and will read out details of their ​all too short lives."

An exhibition to mark this anniversary will be open to the public, with free entry, from Monday 27th through to Friday 1st July 9am-5pm.  Worthing Town Hall foyer.