On Monday, 4th August, the area is due to officially begin events to commemorate the Centenary of the outbreak of World War One. There will be many services taking place throughout the area for readers to attend and reflect. Please see pages 10 and 11 of the virtual issue for more commemorative events.
Midsomer Norton will be honouring Lance Sergeant Oliver Brooks VC on Friday, 1st August at 2 p.m., with the unveiling of a plaque by his grandson, Peter Brooks. Famously decorated by King George V, who at the time was recovering in bed from a fall from his horse, Oliver Brooks returned to Midsomer Norton in December 1915 to a tumultuous welcome.
Oliver Brooks lived in Midsomer Norton, firstly in Welton at Belle Vue, before moving to 3 Burlington Road in 1913. The original Midsomer Norton Urban District Council presented the returning hero with a gold watch and chain, along with a framed certificate with the following citation: 'We the undersigned on behalf of the Midsomer Norton Urban District Council and the inhabitants of the Urban District and Parish of Midsomer Norton, heartily congratulate Lance Sergeant Oliver Brooks VC of the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who has received the Victoria Cross from the hands of His Majesty the King for most conspicuous bravery at Loos on the 8th October 1915, when, on his own initiative, he led a party of bombers in the most determined manner and succeeded in regaining a position of lost ground.
Plans were made in November 1999 by Norton Radstock Town Council to put up a plaque, but these never materialised. The present Midsomer Norton Town Council was therefore delighted when the Midsomer Norton Society designed and donated a fine framed tribute to Oliver Brooks, including a citation based on the original of 1915 and photographs.
The ceremony on Friday will take place in the Assembly Room, at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, at 2 p.m. following the monthly Paradis Palm Court Trio Concert, which starts at 12.30 p.m. Everyone welcome.