A NUMBER of the Dean’s rugby fraternity joined in commemorating the lives of those lost in the line of duty on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

A Forest of Dean Combination XV took on Berry Hill at Lakers Road following a ceremony to remember local rugby personalities who gave their lives in battle.

Former Drybrook player Andrew Mason also visited the Tyne Cott Cemetery and the Menin Gate Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, laying a wreath in particular for two

Drybrook rugby players; Herbert Jacques and Reginald Betteridge.

The wreath contains a Drybrook RFC badge.

Reginald James Betteridge was a sergeant in the 10th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and was killed in action at the battle of Loos on September 25, 1915.

He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing.

Aged 25, he lived at The Branch, Steam Mills and was a clerk at the Cannop Coal Company.

Herbert ‘Bertie’ Forester Jacques was a Lance Corporal in the 13th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment.

He lost his life as the result of the bursting of a shell on June 10 1917 and was laid to rest in Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Aged 23, Bertie lived at the Hawthorns, Drybrook and was a coal miner at Crump Meadow Colliery.

He was the first Drybrook player to be selected for the Forest of Dean Combination XV.

Berry Hill also celebrated remembrance weekend with the unveiling of a World War remembrance bench.

During August, 35 members of the club visited a number of the battlefields, cemeteries and memorials from both the World Wars, culminating in taking part in the daily last post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

“Whilst at the Welsh National Memoral Park near Ypres a particular memorial bench caught the eye of some of the lads,” Hill’s Lee Osborne added.

“It was suggested that it would be a good idea to install one at Lakers Rd as a tribute to the five former Berry Hill rugby players killed during World War I and World War II.

“Adrian Vaughan took the responsibility of sourcing the manufacturer and following the clubs Harvest sale.

“It was decided that the proceeds from the sale should go towards its purchase.

“He also hand-made a hundred poppies, signifying one hundred years since the end of World War One.

“After welcome words from club president Roger Pickett, Reverend Alan Wearmouth blessed the bench and Becky Aston played the last post followed by two minutes silence.”

Osborne added: “The club would like to thank Rev Alan Wearmouth, Becky Aston and the players and officials from the Forest Combination for attending and their contribution to a such a fitting tribute.”