A memorial

[dave.woodhall]

Following a discussion on here a couple of months ago, we have received permission from the club to erect a plaque to those players, officials and supporters who served in wartime. This will be on public display somewhere around the ground.

After talking to a plaque manufacturer, we have come up with suitable wording, along the lines of 

In grateful remembrance of those players,
officials and supporters of Aston Villa FC
who served their country in wartime,
and in particular
Bill Bowker, Arthur Dobson,
Alfred Edwards, Billy Gerrish
Walter Kimberley, Albert Rogers
and Dick Roose,
who played for our club
and were later killed on active service
during World War One

Those long uneven lines
Standing as patiently
As if they were stretched outside
The Oval or Villa Park,
The crowns of hats, the sun
On moustached archaic faces
Grinning as if it were all
An August Bank Holiday lark;                                      From MCMXIV, by Phillip Larkin

The plaque will be English brass & bronze with deep embossed lettering. The metal itself is cast from a specified ingot brass/bronze. The raised text, borders and outside edges are hand polished and finished. The thickness of the plaque is approx 4 to 5 mm.
   
We need to raise £300. A Paypal account is in the process of being set up and the Supporters Trust have agreed to allow us to make cheques payable to them. If you want to pay by this method, make cheques payable to Aston Villa Supporters Trust, at 2 Coton Rd, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8NL. Over to you....

[b23]

Thats good news. Well done to all involved.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Don't forget World War II.

[Somniloquism]

Don't forget World War II.

The plaque is for all wars but those names specifically mentioned were the only Villa Players who lost their lives in a war.

[Pete3206]

Outstanding

[Salsa Party Animal]

So do this mean Villa didn't lose a player in WWII ?

[dave.woodhall]

So do this mean Villa didn't lose a player in WWII ?

No we didn't. Most of our players were in reserved occupations such as policemen and others served away from the front line.

[garyshawsknee]

Well done to all concerned. Collins and Dunne should be made to pay for it and clean it every week.

[TopDeck113]

I'll put a cheque in the post and look forward to seeing it in situ.

Well done to Dr Butler who first broached the subject in a question to the General -  and very well done to you, Dave, for picking up the baton and seeing it through.

Do you envisage a formal unveiling? It could perhaps be an event whereby the club invites Villa fans who have seen recent active service in Afghanistan?

[Bad English]

It could perhaps be an event whereby the club invites Villa fans who have seen recent active service in Afghanistan?

Ooh, I'm sure my green-beret wearing brother would be up for that!

[Billy Walker]

I will certainly contribute by Paypal.  Please let me know when the account is set up.

It's a really fitting tribute.  Well done and thanks to all involved.

[D.boy]

Well done Dave. Let us know when the paypal account is up and running.

[Woody]

A donate button is available on the Villa Trust website now - goto www.villatrust.org.uk and see donate button at top of left navigation bar

[Legion]

Thanks. Done.

[willywombat]

Excellent, well done all. Will certainly contribute