I WRITE following the letter from Helen Roberts (Journal, December 18) in which she mentions the original First World War military badges on Sutton Down. I am a trustee of the Sutton Mandeville Heritage Trust, a registered charity, one of whose objectives is to restore the two badges cut into the chalk hillside during 1916 by two of the regiments encamped in the fields below – the 7th (City of London) Battalion of the London Regiment (the ‘Shiny Seventh’), and the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

The condition of these badges had deteriorated in recent years, but significant progress has been made by volunteers to clear the badges of accumulated undergrowth over the past few months. This is the first stage in the process, and we are working closely with English Heritage to fulfil a plan that will lead to the full restoration of the badges. Just before Christmas, we were very pleased to be awarded a grant by Cranborne Chase AONB that will enable us to carry out the next stage, which will be a detailed survey of the two badges.

In addition, we know of several original camp huts in the local area which still survive. At least one of these is thought to be capable of restoration.

Along with those at Fovant, the Sutton badges are an important reminder to us, one hundred years on, of both the men that created them, and the role that this part of Wiltshire played in the war effort. Their restoration is worth supporting. If any of your readers would like to support us by joining Sutton Mandeville Heritage Trust, or have memorabilia or photographs that relate to the badges or camps at Sutton Mandeville, we can be contacted at info@sutton-down-badges.com.

John Gailey

Sutton Mandeville Heritage Trust