Remembrance Events 2023
Terry & Jacqui Giles (Click on images for full size)
Dover Service of Remembrance – 8 November 2023
The journey down to Dover was in heavy rain and we were pleased to see that parking was inside the old Maritime Station (now Cruise Terminal 1). The event is held in conjunction with The British Torch of Remembrance and the delegation of British Ex-Servicemen who travel with the Torch to Belgium. With Covid retreating, things were almost back to normal. There were sixteen standards on parade with the No1 Group ROCA standard carried by Jacqui. The only other light blue there was an Air Cadet Banner from the local squadron. Whilst Jacqui was being briefed, I had a chat to the Gurkha Warrant Officer who revealed that the Unit in Folkestone is now in Cyprus on United Nations peacekeeping duties with an expectation of having to move to Gaza. This recall had therefore been a pleasure, despite the weather
We were then welcomed by the Chief Exec of the Port of Dover and the Managing Director of Southeastern Rail. The Service was led by Malcolm Sawyer, Chaplain to White Cliffs Branch of the RBL. (We knew him when he was a Maidstone Crew One Observer). The backdrop is the Memorial to the immortal memory of the 556 men of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway who fought and died for their country in the Great War 1914-1918 and to the 626 men of the Southern Railway who gave their lives in the 1939-1945 war. The granite base has a marble dedicatory tablet with gold lettering. Above it stands a group of figures consisting of central winged Victory holding a torch in right hand flanked by a sailor to the left and a helmeted soldier with rifle to the right and at the back a bugler. Behind is a stone screen wall with central wreath with the names, ordered by departments.
The service started with the background to three of the railwaymen named on the memorial, two with no known grave which tied in well with HMS Verdun returning the coffin of the Unknown Warrior that was moved via this Station to Victoria Station in London on its journey to Westminster Abbey. After the service and wreath laying the Gurkha piper led the standards to the terminal entrance hall where there is a plaque commemorating the homecoming of the Unknown Warrior. This was followed by a search for a welcome hot drink having spent two hours in a damp unheated deserted former railway station with the background noise of waves crashing against the breakwater.
Dover Service of Remembrance – 8 November 2023
The journey down to Dover was in heavy rain and we were pleased to see that parking was inside the old Maritime Station (now Cruise Terminal 1). The event is held in conjunction with The British Torch of Remembrance and the delegation of British Ex-Servicemen who travel with the Torch to Belgium. With Covid retreating, things were almost back to normal. There were sixteen standards on parade with the No1 Group ROCA standard carried by Jacqui. The only other light blue there was an Air Cadet Banner from the local squadron. Whilst Jacqui was being briefed, I had a chat to the Gurkha Warrant Officer who revealed that the Unit in Folkestone is now in Cyprus on United Nations peacekeeping duties with an expectation of having to move to Gaza. This recall had therefore been a pleasure, despite the weather
We were then welcomed by the Chief Exec of the Port of Dover and the Managing Director of Southeastern Rail. The Service was led by Malcolm Sawyer, Chaplain to White Cliffs Branch of the RBL. (We knew him when he was a Maidstone Crew One Observer). The backdrop is the Memorial to the immortal memory of the 556 men of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway who fought and died for their country in the Great War 1914-1918 and to the 626 men of the Southern Railway who gave their lives in the 1939-1945 war. The granite base has a marble dedicatory tablet with gold lettering. Above it stands a group of figures consisting of central winged Victory holding a torch in right hand flanked by a sailor to the left and a helmeted soldier with rifle to the right and at the back a bugler. Behind is a stone screen wall with central wreath with the names, ordered by departments.
The service started with the background to three of the railwaymen named on the memorial, two with no known grave which tied in well with HMS Verdun returning the coffin of the Unknown Warrior that was moved via this Station to Victoria Station in London on its journey to Westminster Abbey. After the service and wreath laying the Gurkha piper led the standards to the terminal entrance hall where there is a plaque commemorating the homecoming of the Unknown Warrior. This was followed by a search for a welcome hot drink having spent two hours in a damp unheated deserted former railway station with the background noise of waves crashing against the breakwater.
Field of Remembrance, Westminster – 9 November 2023
Terry had to pull out of attending the event due to emergency dental work and, with no other ROCA volunteers to be there, I was the sole attendee. The day was dry and bright which was a great relief after our stormy trip to Dover. I began by planting a cross on Terry’s behalf in the Bomber Command plot. I then renewed acquaintances from last year including Mike, a Chelsea Pensioner, who served with 2 Group, a Met police officer who took our photos last year and our local police sergeant who was once again on security duties. Queen Camilla was there to open the Field of Remembrance and, following a short service and two minutes silence, took time to talk to those gathered. Unfortunately, she did not talk to me but her Personal Secretary did. I gave her a brief history of the ROC from its inception in 1925 to stand down. I also had an interesting conversation with a representative from the Civil Defence Association whose large board displayed badges of a range of organisations linked to Civil Defence including ROC. He is trying to ensure these organisations, past and present, are recognised and remembered. I was very proud to be representing ROCA at such a poignant and significant event.
Terry had to pull out of attending the event due to emergency dental work and, with no other ROCA volunteers to be there, I was the sole attendee. The day was dry and bright which was a great relief after our stormy trip to Dover. I began by planting a cross on Terry’s behalf in the Bomber Command plot. I then renewed acquaintances from last year including Mike, a Chelsea Pensioner, who served with 2 Group, a Met police officer who took our photos last year and our local police sergeant who was once again on security duties. Queen Camilla was there to open the Field of Remembrance and, following a short service and two minutes silence, took time to talk to those gathered. Unfortunately, she did not talk to me but her Personal Secretary did. I gave her a brief history of the ROC from its inception in 1925 to stand down. I also had an interesting conversation with a representative from the Civil Defence Association whose large board displayed badges of a range of organisations linked to Civil Defence including ROC. He is trying to ensure these organisations, past and present, are recognised and remembered. I was very proud to be representing ROCA at such a poignant and significant event.
Festival of Remembrance, Royal Albert Hall, Saturday 11 November 2023
We were successful in obtaining tickets for the afternoon performance and went with our youngest son and his fiancée (part of her induction into the Giles family). Although you have to watch the televised programme to get all the details, the atmosphere in the hall was worth the effort of coping with closures on the underground and trying to avoid the protesters gathering in Hyde Park. Lots of memorable moments including the music and the muster where the ROC used to be included. I am sure all those who took part have lasting memories of the training at RAF Northolt and this event. Moments for me this year were the young lad singing Pie Jesu, the falling poppy petals and, as the service ends, those in the arena picking them up and passing them to the audience to take away and treasure.
We were successful in obtaining tickets for the afternoon performance and went with our youngest son and his fiancée (part of her induction into the Giles family). Although you have to watch the televised programme to get all the details, the atmosphere in the hall was worth the effort of coping with closures on the underground and trying to avoid the protesters gathering in Hyde Park. Lots of memorable moments including the music and the muster where the ROC used to be included. I am sure all those who took part have lasting memories of the training at RAF Northolt and this event. Moments for me this year were the young lad singing Pie Jesu, the falling poppy petals and, as the service ends, those in the arena picking them up and passing them to the audience to take away and treasure.
Orpington Remembrance, 12 November 2023
This started at the War Memorial with a service and wreath laying to include the two minutes silence at 11:00. There was a large crowd including the Mayor, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Member of Parliament and other local dignataries as well as the Military Attache from the Canadian High Commission. Sea cadets mounted guard on the Memorial, two squadrons of Air Cadets were on parade together with Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides and other youth movements which made the Veterans contingent look rather modest. We all marched up the High Street and on to the Parish Church for a service. After which we processed to the grave of Ivy Millchamp, the last person to die in the UK through enemy action during the Second World War. Then it was to the Canadian Corner of the cemetery where those who died in the local hospital, funded by the people of Ontario during the First World War, were laid to rest. We adjourned back to the RBL Club to warm up before heading home.
This started at the War Memorial with a service and wreath laying to include the two minutes silence at 11:00. There was a large crowd including the Mayor, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Member of Parliament and other local dignataries as well as the Military Attache from the Canadian High Commission. Sea cadets mounted guard on the Memorial, two squadrons of Air Cadets were on parade together with Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides and other youth movements which made the Veterans contingent look rather modest. We all marched up the High Street and on to the Parish Church for a service. After which we processed to the grave of Ivy Millchamp, the last person to die in the UK through enemy action during the Second World War. Then it was to the Canadian Corner of the cemetery where those who died in the local hospital, funded by the people of Ontario during the First World War, were laid to rest. We adjourned back to the RBL Club to warm up before heading home.
Meanwhile our eldest son, who lives in Cambridgeshire went to the service at the International Bomber Commend Centre, Lincoln for their service and placed a poppy in Remembrance of his grandfather.
March past at the Cenotaph, London
Holbeach Branch, No 15 Group
Standard Bearer is David Hagan, Chairman on the right is Tony Topliss.
Standard Bearer is David Hagan, Chairman on the right is Tony Topliss.
31 Group
Photo shows 31Group Standard with from left Tracey Malcolm, Escort, Paddy Malone Standard Bearer and Nigel Crockard, Escort. Nigel became a Standard Bearer upon return of the Standard at the Service.
Our Alistair McCann ,who recently received a major Heritage Award at the ROCA National Reunion, placed the 31Group ROCA Wreath beneath the Memorial Window on the Church War Memorial to all those who died in WW1 and WW 11.
Behind is the Airmen's Memorial Window, The 31Group ROC Banner and opposite, an RAF Ensign and RAFA Standard of Lisburn Branch now sadly closed.
Photo shows 31Group Standard with from left Tracey Malcolm, Escort, Paddy Malone Standard Bearer and Nigel Crockard, Escort. Nigel became a Standard Bearer upon return of the Standard at the Service.
Our Alistair McCann ,who recently received a major Heritage Award at the ROCA National Reunion, placed the 31Group ROCA Wreath beneath the Memorial Window on the Church War Memorial to all those who died in WW1 and WW 11.
Behind is the Airmen's Memorial Window, The 31Group ROC Banner and opposite, an RAF Ensign and RAFA Standard of Lisburn Branch now sadly closed.
