History
The Royal British Legion Chaddesden
Branch was formed immediately after the end of WWII in
a small property at Hillcrest Road. Approximately five new members
attended the inaugural meeting.
The branch has grown over the years and by the early 1980s
it had developed into a thriving Clubhouse. Unfortunately planning
redevelopment caused the Club's demise.
The Branch then assembled at the St Alban's
Catholic Social Club, Roe Farm Lane, Chaddesden, Derby until
early 2004.
It now resides at Chaddesden Park Social Club and
meets at 11.00am on the first Sunday in the month.
Welfare and General Meetings take place as when
required.
Chaddesden Estate is in fact a post war Housing
Estate, largely expanded just after World War
II.
Military history
The great hero of the area was Captain Sir Henry
Wilmot, Bart, VC KCB. He was born in Chaddesden, Derbyshire on the
3 February 1831, and the second son of Sacheveral Wilmot Bart,
Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Derbyshire. Formerly
enlisting into the Rifle Brigade, he went to India in 1857 where he
became Deputy Judge Advocate, and became heavily engaged in the
suppression of the Indian Mutiny. It was during the
fighting in and around the besieged City of Lucknow, that he won
the Victoria Cross on the 11 March 1858.
His citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow
on the 11 March 1858, Captain Wilmot's company was engaged with a
large body of the enemy near the Iron Bridge. That officer found
himself at the end of the street with only four of his men and
opposed by a heavy body: one of the four men was shot through the
legs and became utterly helpless: the two other men lifted him up,
and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him
for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy,
Captain Wilmot firing with the men's rifles and covering the
retreat of the party."
