Poppy Unveiling Ceremony

Posted 16 minutes ago in Events

On Saturday 24 October 2026, a poppy unveiling ceremony took place at Egerton Hall to unveil an additional poppy within the Egerton Hall Poppy Artwork installation, in memory of Private Joseph Doherty.

This increased the number of poppies from 68 to 69, reflecting the number of First World War servicemen now named on the town war memorial. Sarah Bool MP unveiled the poppy and gave a short speech before presenting Mrs Linda Emmison, Joseph Doherty’s great-grandniece, with a certificate for the new poppy.

Private Joseph Doherty was born in Manchester on 12 April 1878. He was married to Susannah and had three daughters. He later enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, in Brackley.

He fought at the Somme and was killed in action on 18 August 1916, aged only 38. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2 in France, alongside 2,194 other service personnel who lost their lives in the area.

A full copy of the moving speech read out in Joseph’s memory is available below, along with a gallery of photos from the day.

In 2014, Brackley Town Council commissioned 68 poppies for an art installation to be housed in the newly built Egerton Hall. At the time, Private Joseph Doherty was not included among the servicemen commemorated, as his connection to Brackley had not yet been established.

However, in 2022, following further discussions between the Town Council and the local Royal British Legion branch, it was rightly agreed that he should be remembered on the town war memorial. A ceremony to unveil his name took place in August 2022.

The additional poppy unveiled on Saturday, purchased through donations to the RBL and added to the artwork through the Town Council, ensures that all 69 servicemen are now remembered within the Egerton Hall Poppy Artwork installation.

Among those attending the ceremony were Sarah Bool, MP for South Northamptonshire and President of the Brackley Branch of the Royal British Legion; Mr Tony McCawley, RBL Branch Chairman; Councillor Jason Kew, Brackley Town Mayor; Mr Stephen Edwards, RBL Branch Project Lead; and members of Brackley Town Council.

Members of Joseph Doherty’s family also attended the ceremony to honour his memory and mark the addition of his poppy to the Egerton Hall Poppy Artwork installation:

• Gerald Abbotts (Grandson)

• Jean Skuce (Granddaughter)

• Kerry-May Lord (Great-Great-Granddaughter)

• Julie Kelly (Great-Granddaughter)

• Linda Emmison (Great-Grandniece)

• Stephen Robinson (Great-Grandson)

• Carl Robinson (Great-Great-Grandson)

• Angela Silman (Great-Granddaughter)

• Brian Robinson (Grandson)

In addition to paying tribute to Private Joseph Doherty, the ceremony also marked the official launch of the 2026 Royal British Legion (RBL) Brackley Poppy Appeal.

The RBL Brackley Branch would like to hear from anyone with information about the men of Brackley who fought for our freedom. To get in touch, simply email:
brackley.chair@rbl.community

Private Joseph Doherty - Speech by Sarah Bool MP (PDF)

Poppy Unveiling Ceremony - Photo Gallery