Pauline Latham, Mid Derbyshire MP, commemorated those from Belper who gave their lives for their country on 13th July during a debate in Parliament commemorating Passchendaele, the third battle of Ypres, during WWI.
During the debate she mentioned the specific contribution made by Belper, saying:
“Richard Pinkett, a constituent from Belper, posts regularly on Facebook about people from Belper who died in the many different battles of the First World War. Belper is much bigger than it was and the posts show that not only the people who were killed in the battles but the families in the local region were affected. So many families in so many communities were affected by the deaths of their sons. My hon. Friend mentions the women who bravely helped. We should remember the people back home as well as those on the frontline. In Belper, a flag in the memorial garden is lowered to half-mast every time we commemorate 100 years since one of the young men died. It is a testament to local people that we do not forget those who died”.
Commenting afterwards, Pauline said: “In what was a somber debate, I was pleased not only to highlight the incredible sacrifice of the soldiers in the Great War but also those playing a vital part at home and, more recently, the action of my constituents involved in Belper in Wartime: who remind us of how terrible the ordeal was for local soldiers and their families.
Our thanks still go to all those who contributed, and we must ensure we never forget their sacrifice”.
In a bid to commemorate those who lost their lives in WWI the Poppies: Weeping Window display, designed by Paul Cummins, is currently on exhibit at the Silk Mill in Derby. More information can be found at www.paulinelatham.co.uk/poppies-weeping-window-coming-derby.