AN anniversary event to mark the centenary of a tragic accident at Bere Ferrers Railway Station is being held this Sunday (September 24).

On September 24, 1917, at 3.53pm ten New Zealand soldiers were killed in a tragic rail accident at Bere Ferrers Railway Station — and every year this incident is commemorated by local villagers.

The soldiers were on their way to Salisbury Plain and had been travelling since 6am. They had been told that rations would be issued at the scheduled first stop, Exeter, but as the train pulled into Bere Ferrers the driver braked in response to a signal. Soldiers in the rear two carriages, which due to the length of the train had not reached the platform, assumed it was Exeter so jumped out on to the down track. The Waterloo-to-Plymouth express was on time and due to the bend the track takes on entering Bere Ferrers, the driver had no time to slow down or to see the soldiers until it was too late.

Nine men were killed instantly and a tenth the following day in Tavistock Hospital.

The villages of Bere Ferrers and Bere Alston have remembered the sacrifice of these young men every year on Remembrance Sunday since 1917. Although little is known of the accident beyond the parish boundary, it is felt very important to mark this anniversary.

The centenary event, organised by the Royal British Legion, will be attended by His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparea GNZM QSO KStJ, New Zealand High Commissioner, Brigadier Evan Williams, Head of New Zealand Defence Force, and Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon as well as representatives of the Royal British Legion and descendants of the soldiers.

The event will be held between 3pm and 6pm and will start at Bere Ferrers Railway Station (invited guests only due to limited space) with a memorial service given by the Rev Nick Law and an opportunity to view the memorial garden. A service will be held in St Andrew’s Church at 4.25pm to celebrate the lives of the soldiers. Everyone will then move to the war memorial at 4.50pm nearby for the remembrance ceremony.

All villagers have been invited to attend and refreshments will be available in the Bere Ferrers Social Club at 5.15pm.

For further information on the range of services offered by The Royal British Legion visit www.britishlegion.org.uk