BELLRINGERS at St James' Church in Trowbridge have been remembering one of their number who fell in the First World War, by ringing a commemorative peal on the centenary of his death.

Veronica Newman, the captain of the tower at the church, explained: "Private Harold Butcher, from Trowbridge, was a member of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Bellringers, who died, aged 27, while serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 15th Bttn.

"He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France. The son of Benjamin and Annie Butcher (nee Long) of Trowbridge, he left a widow, Daisy Ann Butcher (nee Cook) whom he married in 1915, of Nolan's Cottage, Yatesbury, Calne, and two daughters, Lois Butcher, born in 1915 and Kathleen, born in 1916.

"He worked as a coach builder before enlisting. He was seriously wounded in the head by shrapnel during May 1917 and was evacuated to the general hospital at Etaples where he died."

It was the second wartime tragedy for the Butcher family, for his brother, Ordinary Seaman Frederick Butcher, had died whilst serving on HMS Black Prince during the Battle of Jutland the year before, only six months after enlisting.

Mrs Newman added: "There is a Peal Board in the tower recording a peal in which Harold rang, and the third bell at Trowbridge has the inscription “Lest we forget - Harold Butcher a Parish Church ringer killed in The Great War” - A lasting memory.

"To commemorate the centenary of his death the tower band rang 240 Grandsire Doubles on the morning of June 4. The ringers were Jane Shewring, Rob Quartley, Carole Simpson, Veronica Newman, Brian Coward (conductor) and James Vingo.

"This was followed in the evening by a Quarter Peal of Grandsire Triples, lasting 46 minutes, for which Veronica Newman and Brian Coward were joined by members of the Devizes Branch SDGR Patsy Thorn, Christine Purnell, Phil Gaisford, Richard Heath, Robert Wellen and Bob Purnell.

The ringers also took part in the third BBC Music Day last Thursday (June 15) with the theme of The Power of Music,– how it can bring us together, make us feel fantastic and create unforgettable memories

In a global ringing event they joined bands from around the world, all ringing at 7pm local time. Over 220 UK towers took part, along with over 30 overseas towers, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Bermuda.

"We rang 15 minutes of rounds and call changes from 7pm, with ringers Brian Coward, Rob Quartley, Mike Linham, Jane Shewring, Ann Russell and myself," Mrs Newman added.