Five days of Remembrance 2022
The ability to move around and mix meant this year the challenge was to decline invitations and select those we wanted to support. It resulted in five sequential days with a lot of travel around London and Kent.
Wednesday 09 November - This meant being at Dover Western Docks by 0930 in the old Dover Marine Station, built for the Boat Trains and is now a Cruise Terminal. Jacqui with the No 1 Group Standard was one of the ten Standards Bearers on parade.
The two Remembrance Services were led by the Bishop of Dover. Rose Hudson who was previously the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons where she must have learned her way to focus a large audience as she held the attention of those present. She was assisted by three Chaplains including the Chaplain to the Port of Dover, Malcolm Sawyer, a former member of Maidstone Group, Crew One. Five million of the nine million men from the UK and the British Empire left through Dover and Folkestone
We were gathered at the Memorial to the men of the South East & Chatham Railway who gave their lives in the Great War, it was the Centenary of the Dedication of the War Memorial not only to those who lost their lives but also remembering those who transported the five million men and ammunitions to France and Belgium as well as the returning wounded. Senior managers of South Eastern Trains and Network Rail paid tribute to them as of the nine million, one million were killed and two million wounded. The station where we stood also saw the returning BEF service men who were evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk. Quoting the US General Patton who said in 1948 we are nuclear giants but ethical infants when will we learn? A good thought for the day. Following the laying of the thirty-two wreaths. The Bishop concluded with the words that we need to know from where we came plan the way to the future. The last Post and Reveille were sounded by buglers from the local Duke of Kent Military School. At the end of the service a Gurkha Piper led the Standards and Local Dignitaries into the Cruise Terminal where there is the memorial commemorating the return of the Coffin of the Unknown Warrior was landed from HMS Verdun and transported by train to London for the service in Westminster Abbey on the 11th November 1921
Thursday 10 November – the story continued with an early train to London to represent ROCA at the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance. It was dry with a cool breeze. Sergeant had been assigned to Westminster for the event which he preferred to extracting protesters for the M25, so I had a character witness if needed
The ROCA plot was against the hoarding around the restoration work that seems to have been underway for years. Hence no room to stand behind the plot. no place to stand behind and Jacqui was consigned to the Green for the period of inspection by HM The Queen Consort. Without the usual jostling from the War Widows Association, I had a chance to talk to their President, Baroness Janet Fookes. There was some common ground as she has been an MP for Plymouth Drake before receiving a Life Peerage and she is now a Deputy Lieutenant for East Sussex. The other side of our plot was the Police so conversation was easy. We had one other visitor, a Chelsea Pensioner Mike Hall, who had joined the ROC when he left the Army and served in No 2 Group Horsham. He was there with the National Malay & Borneo Veterans Association so once again a lot of common ground. There is a lot of waiting around but it is a chance to meet many likeminded people. The walk round by Camilla was also interesting as she wanted to speak to all those in front of plots. Her Security detail were not amused as it was the day after The King had had eggs thrown at him in York.
The long stand did my knees no favours so it was a slow hobble back to get a coffee before catching the train home, grateful that our blazers were dry for the day 3
Friday 11 November - Remembrance Day started with another long drive to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne for the eleventh hour of the eleventh day service. It was dry but a blustery wind was of concern. One of the largest crowds seen in recent years gathered around the National Memorial to the Few to pay their respects to those who have died in conflicts around the world. Despite many local services being undertaken at the same time.
With Robin green in hospital only Two Standards were paraded, RAFA Dover Branch and the No 1 Group ROCA carried by Jacqui Giles, Terry Giles acted as the Standards Marshall (and perhaps Safety Manager) for the Standards. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's short Remembrance Day Service, led by Father Kevin Jacobs of St Mary in Castro, Dover, was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made not just by the Few who served in the Battle of Britain but by servicemen everywhere.
Father Jacobs was supported by site manager Jules Gomez and Trustees Andy Simpson and Barry Duffield, all of whom laid wreaths at the National Memorial to the Few at the conclusion of the service.
After the Service the Standards were marched down to the Wall and were photographed extensively as well as being highly praised for coping with the wind, Barry Duffield, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent spoke to the Standard Bearers along with Wing Commander Andy Simpson and Jules Gomez, A hard day but worthwhile and rewarding
Sat 12 November – An easier day, with train to London for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, an event many of you will have seen on television but the atmosphere of being there is electric. The theme of Service not Self led to a tear in many an eye of the audience as they related to the stories being told. The lady talking about the last letter from her father serving on HMS Coventry a few days before he was killed in the Falklands was particularly difficult for me as I could relate to the sentiments. The music as always was note perfect. The friendship and banter made you feel one of an extended family.
The passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II was commemorated. She was the Patron of the RBL who wait to see who will replace her, just as we wait in hope.
Sun 13 November - Remembrance Sunday and we stayed local in Orpington for the multiple services that take place every year. Residents were invited to gather around Orpington War Memorial for 1030 as we remembered the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms. A short service led by Reverend George Rogers included two minute's silence at 1100 and the exhortation was delivered to a large number of the public. We then paraded the mile from the Memorial to the Parish Church with the Canadian flag carried at front of the Parade. Orpington Hospital was originally built and paid for by the Government of Ontario in Canada, as a practical war effort during the First World War. Over 26,000 soldiers received treatment at the hospital. 182 died, and of these 88 Canadians, 23 British and 5 Australians as well as a New Zealander, South African and an Irish soldier. Many of those that lost their battle for life are buried in that corner of our churchyard. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the plot is now known as Canadian Corner. With the Canadian flag fluttering in the stiff breeze, this is where the final part of the commemoration took place. The Memorial Cross was the first Canadian Memorial unveiled in Britain with the High Commissioner for Canada present. The automatic plunger used to release the Union flag veiling the Cross was the same used by King George V, at the unveiling of the Cenotaph in Whitehall a year earlier. The Cross and Sword of Sacrifice is typical of many of the First World War cemeteries in France and Belgium. What is unusual about this memorial is the wording that suggests the memorial may have been among the first outside of the old Western Front. Wreaths were laid by eight local dignitaries and one by the Military Attaché from the Canadian High Commission
The Vicar’s final words as we left provided a thought for all of us “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength”
After five busy days we then took a well-earned rest
Terry & Jacqui Giles
Wednesday 09 November - This meant being at Dover Western Docks by 0930 in the old Dover Marine Station, built for the Boat Trains and is now a Cruise Terminal. Jacqui with the No 1 Group Standard was one of the ten Standards Bearers on parade.
The two Remembrance Services were led by the Bishop of Dover. Rose Hudson who was previously the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons where she must have learned her way to focus a large audience as she held the attention of those present. She was assisted by three Chaplains including the Chaplain to the Port of Dover, Malcolm Sawyer, a former member of Maidstone Group, Crew One. Five million of the nine million men from the UK and the British Empire left through Dover and Folkestone
We were gathered at the Memorial to the men of the South East & Chatham Railway who gave their lives in the Great War, it was the Centenary of the Dedication of the War Memorial not only to those who lost their lives but also remembering those who transported the five million men and ammunitions to France and Belgium as well as the returning wounded. Senior managers of South Eastern Trains and Network Rail paid tribute to them as of the nine million, one million were killed and two million wounded. The station where we stood also saw the returning BEF service men who were evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk. Quoting the US General Patton who said in 1948 we are nuclear giants but ethical infants when will we learn? A good thought for the day. Following the laying of the thirty-two wreaths. The Bishop concluded with the words that we need to know from where we came plan the way to the future. The last Post and Reveille were sounded by buglers from the local Duke of Kent Military School. At the end of the service a Gurkha Piper led the Standards and Local Dignitaries into the Cruise Terminal where there is the memorial commemorating the return of the Coffin of the Unknown Warrior was landed from HMS Verdun and transported by train to London for the service in Westminster Abbey on the 11th November 1921
Thursday 10 November – the story continued with an early train to London to represent ROCA at the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance. It was dry with a cool breeze. Sergeant had been assigned to Westminster for the event which he preferred to extracting protesters for the M25, so I had a character witness if needed
The ROCA plot was against the hoarding around the restoration work that seems to have been underway for years. Hence no room to stand behind the plot. no place to stand behind and Jacqui was consigned to the Green for the period of inspection by HM The Queen Consort. Without the usual jostling from the War Widows Association, I had a chance to talk to their President, Baroness Janet Fookes. There was some common ground as she has been an MP for Plymouth Drake before receiving a Life Peerage and she is now a Deputy Lieutenant for East Sussex. The other side of our plot was the Police so conversation was easy. We had one other visitor, a Chelsea Pensioner Mike Hall, who had joined the ROC when he left the Army and served in No 2 Group Horsham. He was there with the National Malay & Borneo Veterans Association so once again a lot of common ground. There is a lot of waiting around but it is a chance to meet many likeminded people. The walk round by Camilla was also interesting as she wanted to speak to all those in front of plots. Her Security detail were not amused as it was the day after The King had had eggs thrown at him in York.
The long stand did my knees no favours so it was a slow hobble back to get a coffee before catching the train home, grateful that our blazers were dry for the day 3
Friday 11 November - Remembrance Day started with another long drive to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne for the eleventh hour of the eleventh day service. It was dry but a blustery wind was of concern. One of the largest crowds seen in recent years gathered around the National Memorial to the Few to pay their respects to those who have died in conflicts around the world. Despite many local services being undertaken at the same time.
With Robin green in hospital only Two Standards were paraded, RAFA Dover Branch and the No 1 Group ROCA carried by Jacqui Giles, Terry Giles acted as the Standards Marshall (and perhaps Safety Manager) for the Standards. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's short Remembrance Day Service, led by Father Kevin Jacobs of St Mary in Castro, Dover, was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made not just by the Few who served in the Battle of Britain but by servicemen everywhere.
Father Jacobs was supported by site manager Jules Gomez and Trustees Andy Simpson and Barry Duffield, all of whom laid wreaths at the National Memorial to the Few at the conclusion of the service.
After the Service the Standards were marched down to the Wall and were photographed extensively as well as being highly praised for coping with the wind, Barry Duffield, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent spoke to the Standard Bearers along with Wing Commander Andy Simpson and Jules Gomez, A hard day but worthwhile and rewarding
Sat 12 November – An easier day, with train to London for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, an event many of you will have seen on television but the atmosphere of being there is electric. The theme of Service not Self led to a tear in many an eye of the audience as they related to the stories being told. The lady talking about the last letter from her father serving on HMS Coventry a few days before he was killed in the Falklands was particularly difficult for me as I could relate to the sentiments. The music as always was note perfect. The friendship and banter made you feel one of an extended family.
The passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II was commemorated. She was the Patron of the RBL who wait to see who will replace her, just as we wait in hope.
Sun 13 November - Remembrance Sunday and we stayed local in Orpington for the multiple services that take place every year. Residents were invited to gather around Orpington War Memorial for 1030 as we remembered the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms. A short service led by Reverend George Rogers included two minute's silence at 1100 and the exhortation was delivered to a large number of the public. We then paraded the mile from the Memorial to the Parish Church with the Canadian flag carried at front of the Parade. Orpington Hospital was originally built and paid for by the Government of Ontario in Canada, as a practical war effort during the First World War. Over 26,000 soldiers received treatment at the hospital. 182 died, and of these 88 Canadians, 23 British and 5 Australians as well as a New Zealander, South African and an Irish soldier. Many of those that lost their battle for life are buried in that corner of our churchyard. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the plot is now known as Canadian Corner. With the Canadian flag fluttering in the stiff breeze, this is where the final part of the commemoration took place. The Memorial Cross was the first Canadian Memorial unveiled in Britain with the High Commissioner for Canada present. The automatic plunger used to release the Union flag veiling the Cross was the same used by King George V, at the unveiling of the Cenotaph in Whitehall a year earlier. The Cross and Sword of Sacrifice is typical of many of the First World War cemeteries in France and Belgium. What is unusual about this memorial is the wording that suggests the memorial may have been among the first outside of the old Western Front. Wreaths were laid by eight local dignitaries and one by the Military Attaché from the Canadian High Commission
The Vicar’s final words as we left provided a thought for all of us “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength”
After five busy days we then took a well-earned rest
Terry & Jacqui Giles