Express & Star

Historic bugle on display at Rugeley library

A historic First World War bugle found on the battlefield of the Somme in 1917 has gone on display at Rugeley Library.

Published
With a bugle found on the Somme battlefield, onsite supervisor Nicola Speed, at Rugeley Library.

In March 1917 the 6th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment were ordered to clear the Somme battlefield of bodies after German soldiers had retreated to the relative safety of the Hindenburg Line.

During this time Company Sergeant Major Spencer found the bugle in the area of Gommecourt and took it home with him at the end of the war.

Eventually it was passed on to the Rugeley Royal British Legion for safe keeping and is now on display at the Anson Street library, where it will stay until the after Remembrance Sunday.

Nicola Speed, a supervisor at the library, said: "We have a number of items on display as part of our work to celebrate Remembrance Sunday and the bugle is a great addition to that.

"We are grateful to the Rugeley branch of the Royal British Legion for letting us put it on display and we hope that people will come out to see this historic item."

The Bugle was last played on Remembrance Sunday in 2003, by Sea Cadet leader, Graham Townsend.

Alison Bates, community fundraiser with the Royal British Legion, said: "No one remembers the day that the bugle was donated to the Legion, just that it was and has remained a highly esteemed piece of history, as it unlike so many of the son’s of Rugeley families returned from the Battles of the First World War in relatively good condition.

"We hope that the public of Rugeley take this opportunity to view the bugle in the Library and reflect on the sacrifices that all military personnel make, both past and present."

Rugeley Library is open 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

It is also open from 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays, 9am to 6pm on Thursdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.

Anyone interested in fundraising or volunteering for The Royal British Legion or the Poppy Appeal please contact, Alison Bates on 01889 575496 or email abates@britishlegion.org.uk.