Royal Observer Corps Association
  • Home
  • National Events
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2023
    • Remembrance 2022
    • National Reunion 2022
    • HM Queen Elizabeth II
    • Battle of Britain 2022
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2022
    • Seaborne Memorial 2022
    • RIAT 2022
    • Capel le Ferne 2022
    • Jubilee Beacons/Events 2022
    • REMEMBRANCE 2020
    • NATIONAL REUNION 2018
    • Alrewas 2018
    • Capel le Ferne 2017
    • Alrewas 2016
    • Capel le Ferne 2016
    • St Clement Danes April 2016
    • The Banner at St CLement Danes
    • Alrewas 2014
    • National Memorial Dedicated
    • Alrewas memorial stone
  • Local Events
  • National Heritage
    • Observer Way, Reading
    • The Greatest Sacrifice
    • ROC in pursuit!
    • Heritage Awards 2022
    • Special Constables
    • Bury War Room May 2022
    • Falklands remembered
    • Cosford 2022
    • Heritage Snippets
    • NAFD 2018 Llandudno
    • NAFD 2016 Cleethorpes
    • Armed forces Day 2014 Stirling
    • Bury St. Edmunds Ops room restoration
    • Bentley Priory Museum
    • Armed Forces Week 2013
    • Bentley Priory Tours 2012
  • National News
  • Current Group News
  • Organisation - National
    • Organisation - Groups
  • Links
  • Archive
    • Group News 2010-2021
    • 2014 A year to Remember
    • St Clement Danes April 2017
    • 31 Group Belfast Dedication of Group Standard
    • FAIRFORD 2015
    • Remembrance 2017
    • Banner at Cranwell
    • 2014 National Reunion
    • Stoke Golding 2016
    • Channel islands Liberation Parade 2014
    • Bentley Priory reborn Sept 2013
    • No. 1 Group Maidstone 2014 Parades
    • D-Day 70 Years on
    • ROCA President
    • Battle of Britain Services 2016
    • The Battle of Britain
    • National Arboretum Group trees

The Field of Remembrance

Date:   Thursday November 5th
St Margaret’s Church Westminster London
Every November the annual Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey is organised and run by The Poppy Factory.
Over 350 plots for regimental and other associations are laid out in the area between Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church. Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-Service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory of their fallen comrades and loved ones. The Field is opened every Thursday before Remembrance Sunday and stays open for a further ten days.
Major Howson started the Field of Remembrance in 1928 with a few disabled ex-Service men from The Poppy Factory. They grouped around a battlefield cross, familiar to those who had served in Flanders and the Western Front. With a tray of poppies, they invited passers-by to plant a poppy in the vicinity of the cross.
This year Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry represented HM the Queen.
Representing the Association this year were Paul Norris and Ian & Linda Burrows from Metropolitan Area. 
 
(photos Linda Burrows)

Note Pause the pictures to exit the slide show.


The Festival of Remembrance

Date: Saturday November 7th
The Royal Albert Hall London
 
The Royal British Legion welcomes members of the Royal family, Government Ministers and the public to join in their annual Festival of Remembrance.
This annual Festival commemorates and honours all those who have lost their lives in conflicts, and is both a moving and enjoyable experience.
 
This year Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Gregory Porter and Pixie Lott performed alongside the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Queen’s Colour Squadron, the Band of HM Royal Marines, and the Band and Pipes of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
National Chairman John Sharpe and National Secretary Jenny Morris were invited to attend the evening performance in the presence of HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
There were many other ROCA members there to watch Terry Austin  - former Group Commandant of Oxford Group - carry our National Standard across the arena accompanied by the standards of Royal Naval Association, Royal Marines Association, Royal Air Forces Association, and the Merchant Navy.     (photos Jenny Morris, Pamela Austin)


Remembrance Day Service and Parade

Date: Sunday November 8th
The Cenotaph London
 
As in previous years many ROCA members mustered in Horse Guards Parade for the annual Service of Remembrance and March past.
This year’s event was particularly memorable as it so closely followed the special Service, in St Clement Danes, when we laid up our Sovereigns Banner. It was the culmination of a year during which we celebrated so many anniversaries throughout our unique history of voluntary service.
National Heritage Officer Edwina Holden takes up the story:-
 
Led by National Chairman John Sharpe, fifty five members made up the ROC contingent mustered on Horseguards Parade in Column C as usual.  There was initially some confusion when the Parade Commander, the bowler hatted gent, turned us round so that the back rank was at the front much to the consternation of those who thought they would be at the back.   After leading the way into Whitehall all was revealed, we did an about-turn and the front rank were in their rightful place.
The wreath laying was a little faster this year due to doubling up so the standing was reduced, watching the wreath laying on the large TVs sited in Whitehall ensured the time went quickly.  
Our Parade Marshal was Stan Robinson of No 7 Group, we could hear his commands very clearly.  When we returned to Horseguards we found Prince William taking the salute, there is always much speculation beforehand as to who it will be.  
Following the Parade 32 of us made our way to the prestigious RAF Club in Piccadilly.
There is always room for more members to take part in the Parade so do think about joining us next year.  A beret is a must (Jenny has a stock!) and we need to be in Horseguards by 10.00am.
(Photos by Jenny Morris and Linda Burrows)

The official website of the Royal Observer Corps Association

Return to Home Page
Data Protection
Links to external sites
Email Website Editor