Some of you may have seen Red Tommy Lamppost badges in Hayes. Here’s an update from Oliver Pereira, of the Hayes Branch of the Royal British Legion who explains why:
“You will have seen on lampposts in Pickhurst Lane, Station Approach and Hayes Street, Red Tommy Lamppost badges, which have been placed there by Hayes Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Each Tommy badge remembers a fallen son or daughter of Hayes by name, who was killed in action or was a civilian casualty.
The Legion wrote to householders in Hayes who currently live at the address where the people we are remembering once lived.
We are very grateful to those who responded and are now displaying the Tommy badge in the front garden of the home of one of the Fallen of Hayes.
The common response from those participating was one of being honoured to do so.
As you walk around Hayes, please remember those from our village who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Exhortation
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
The Kohima Epitaph
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today
Our thanks go to Jean Wilson and the late Trevor Woodman, whose research on Hayes and the fallen included their former addresses.
Thank you to the volunteers from Hayes RBL Branch, who placed the Tommy badges on the lampposts, delivered them to householders and inscribed the names.
Oliver Pereira
Hayes RBL Branch“
Visit the RBL Hayes website for photographic memories of World War II from their members.
Coney Hall Village Residents' Association (CHVRA) 