Hucknall commemorates Great War with FREE Tea Dance event

The bravery of William Henry Bower, who lived at Grange Cottages in Papplewick, served in the First World War with the Sherwood Foresters and survived to continue his life in the Dispatch district.

He is one of many serving soldiers from the Great War who will form part of the Commemorative Tea Dance taking place at the John Godber Centre on Hucknall’s Ogle Street.

Mr Bower’s nephew and former Hucknall resident, Roy Dobb, will be attending the event. He will be sharing memories of his uncle and displaying a book of William’s accomplishments as a serving soldier and member of the Royal British Legion.

“My Uncle William was a very brave man and I want to tell people about him,” said Mr Dobb (78), who now lives in Sutton. “He enlisted at 18 and at first was sent to Gallipoli.

“Altogether he was wounded three times and patched up and then sent back to the battlefields.

“He still had shrapnel in his leg when we buried him.”

Mr Bower returned from the war and lived his life as a herdsman working for the Co-op farm in the village where he lived.

He was also a founding member of the Papplewick and Linby British Legion and served as a Standard Bearer for many years.

“He was a very quiet, unassuming man and rarely talked about the war,” remembers Mr Dobb. “I’m looking forward to the event as it will allow us the opportunity give William recognition for serving his country.”