On the Saturday following the declaration of war in August 1914, the following advertisement appeared in the Thetford & Watton Times:

It seems that the call to arms was met with a rapid response – indeed, in the same issue of the paper an anonymous correspondent commented: “The countryside is being almost denuded of its rural workmen. The effect of this on the harvest is already felt. In many districts operation [sic] are in progress and with the scarcity of men great difficulties are confronting the farmers. In some cases half the labourers on a single farm have left to join their regiments.”

The T&W Times dated 19th September listed 15 men from Weeting who had “Joined the Colours”. By the end of 1914 that number had grown to 28. It should be recalled that the village was very much smaller then than it is now. Information from the 1911 census suggests that in 1914 there would have been only 45 men of eligible age to enlist.

The impact of the First War has become hidden by the passage of time. In this centennial period join us in commemorating the sacrifices made by those who served in the forces, and those who remained behind.