The widow of Bill Edwardes, Jean, is a member of SI Winchester. Bill served in the 43rd Wessex Division in the war and also formed the 43rd Division Association. On a sunny day in May 2023 the rededication of the Division Arboretum and the memorial plaque was made at Longleat House. We are delighted that Jean was able to play a part in this rededication. 
The last two known survivors of the Division were joined by Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, (who as Earl of Wessex was Patron of the 43rd Wessex Division), Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Troughton, the High Sheriff Mr Pradeep Bhardwaj and Lord and Lady Bath.
The exhortation was read by 98 year old Ken Hay of the Dorsetshire Regment and the Kohima Epitaph was read by 99 year old Cecil Newton of the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards. The Duke of Edinburgh went on to plant a tree, grown from an acorn
from the ‘Royal Oak’ on the estate which was planted by King George III in 1789.
A painting of the Division’s most hard won battle honour, Hill 112, in Normandy, was presented to Col McDade by Jean Edwardes, who formed the 43rd Division. Col McDade said, ‘We will make sure that the memory of the 43rd Wessex Division is not forgotten. We will keep the 43rd Division flame alive.’
The 43rd Wessex Division formed from the Territorial Army battalions of the southwest, including the 4th and 5th Battalions of the Wiltshire Regiment. The DCLI, Devon and Dorset’s Gloucester’s and Worcester’s became known as the fighting Wessex Wyverns.