March to remember 'the day Sussex died'
A British army veteran is marching along the Sussex coastline from Rye to Chichester in remembrance of those from the Royal Sussex Regiment who fell during a battle in World War One. On his second day, Guy Radlett arrived in Brighton as the city marks the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Boar's Head, also known as "the day Sussex died".Some 366 officers and men of the Southdowns Brigade were killed during the battle, while over 1,000 were wounded or missing.Before holding a memorial at the Amex stadium, he said: "I have a 1916 trench whistle that I will blow as a tribute here at the Amex to all the men who lost their lives."
Amanda Grimshaw, Mayor of Brighton & Hove and Armed Forces Champion for Brighton & Hove, said: "Sixty-two men from the city died in the battle - the city's greatest loss of life in one day and scarcely a town or village in Sussex did not have men who were affected."Setting off on the second leg of his 120-mile (193km) march, the Royal Sussex Regiment veteran said he was optimistic about reaching Chichester Harbour on time."The first day was a gruelling day carrying weight on stretches of shingle and sun, yesterday took it tolls and my legs are tired, but I'll get there," he said. "We need to learn the lessons of the past. We need to live today, but to look back so we can move forward to better shape the future without war."He is raising funds for the the Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and Veterans' Growth.
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