LAST Sunday, the streets of South Cerney were bedecked with pennants of blue and gold. Nature more lavish lent the full range of the gentle hues of her spring palette to grace the scene; chestnuts ablaze in pink and cream, wisteria festooning cottage walls, and hawthorns red and white loading the air with the fragrance of their closely clustered blossoms.

The day was, as one member remarked, one ever to be remembered by Women Legionaires, for that day South Cerney British Legion Women’s Section received its Standard. Legionaires from two counties came to do them honour and the bells of the parish church gave them joyous welcome.

Early in the afternoon cars and buses began to arrive in a steady stream and by the hour of assembly 400 Legionaires, men and women, had arrived at the old village cross. Guides from the South Cerney Men’s Section conducted the several contingents to their allotted places near the Memorial of the First World War. Represented were the Legion organisations of Ashton Keynes, Bibury, Chedworth, Cirencester, Fairford, Kemble, Kempsford, The Leigh and Cricklade while a deputation attended from Gloucestershire County headquarters.

Cirencester Silver Band under Mr G Churchman played suitable selections of music as the visitors marched to their respective positions.

Captain W Maidment was the efficient parade marshal being assisted by Mr G Cox and Mr A Price, vice chairman and secretary of the South Cerney Men’s Section.

Pride of place went to South Cerney Women’s Section whose day it was. They stood in the centre immediately before the flag draped table on which reposed the furled new Standard.

A little to the fore stood the Standard bearer Miss G Legg and her supporters, Miss M Gassor and Mrs J Bateman. No more fitting selection for these offices could be made for this trio have just left the Women’s services, two having served with the ATS and one with the WRNS.

Unfortunately absence from home through illness prevented the attendance of Captain E T Cripps, president of the South Cerney branch of the British Legion.

Colonel C W Walker addressed the Legionaires. Colours, he said, were the focusing point of respect and tradition. Tradition had played a great part in the history of our country and in the future, no less than in the past, it would be necessary to maintain the tradition of loyal service and the due performance of those duties which fell to our lot. Self sacrifice and devotion to duty must ever play a large part.

The women of our country in the last seven years had suffered much and shown great self sacrifice and devotion to duty . Those colours should be a memento to that and at the same time an encouragement to the display of similar qualities in the future when they are likely to be required as much as in the past.

He concluded “I now entrust these colours to South Cerney Women’s Section”.

Standard bearer and escort stepped forward and the Standard bearer received the Standard from Colonel Walker.

Mrs Waddington Jones, chairman of the Women’s Section replied “On behalf of the South Cerney Women’s Section I accept this Standard. May we ever carry it with honour and in service to others”.

After the service and parade the column marched to the village hall where tea was provided for all visiting members one of whom was observed to be wearing medals denoting active service in 1896 – 1897, fifty years ago – a fine record of service.

Miss Muriel Gassor leader of South Cerney Girl Guides carried the Union Jack at the head of the column on the march to the village hall.

Standard, May 18, 1946