Huntingdon & District Branch: Remembrance Sunday, 2015
On Sunday 8th November 2015, shipmates from Huntingdon & District Branch took part in the annual Remembrance Day Parades, and an Evening Service, in Huntingdon, Sawtry, Godmanchester, Chatham and London. Shipmates Bill Small, Karl Webb, Pete Aston, Graham Murray, and Nino Crean took part in the Huntingdon Parade (with S/M Hilary Meers-Webb acting as duty photographer), shipmates Dick Bacon and Derrick Morgan took part in the Sawtry service whilst S/M John Magee took part in Services in Chatham and London.
Although we have fewer veterans each year, the number of youth associations and military personnel had increased, forming up for the march off took a lot to get us all ready, but as always, we marched into Market Square in true military style and took our places in front of the War Memorial.
Once the VIPs had taken their place, the Reverend Andrew Milton (also Huntingdon & District Branch’s Hon. Chaplain), welcomed everyone and began with prayers for those who have served.
RAF Wyton’s Chaplain, Reverend Stephen Radley gave the Act of Remembrance before the buglar sounded the Last Post and a two minutes silence began.
After Reveille, wreaths were placed in front of the War Memorial, led by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Sir Keith Pearson, and followed by District and Town Councillors, Military representatives and of course, veterans associations and local youth groups (including the cadets from TS Cromwell who are affiliated with Huntingdon RNA, a very smart turnout).
After hymns, prayers, and Blessing, the Service concluded with the National Anthem, and then a march through Huntingdon Town Centre.
Participants are invited back to the Commemoration Hall for refreshments provided by Huntingdonshire District Council, however, veterans tend to move to the Market Inn for a pint and a chat to remember our comrades. This year, shipmate Ben Dear was too ill to march in the parade, but using his wheelchair, he was determined to take part in anyway possible (BZ Benny, great to see you and Rose there).
With Huntingdon Branch monthly meetings now taking place in the Falcon, shipmates also popped in to have a pint in our new ‘local’.
Huntingdon Branch also take part in the evening Service in Godmanchesterm so after a few hours at home and getting some scran, S/Ms Bill Small, Karl Webb, Pete Aston, Nino Crean, Graham and Becky Murray, headed off to Godmanchester for our second Remembrance Service.
Once again, the Branch Standard was paraded (along with the RBL, RAFA, and Air Cadets’ Standards), S/M Karl Webb read the Act of Remembrance whilst S/M Pete Aston laid the wreath from the Branch, with a slight change to the routine this year, the Branch Standard was also paraded with those leading the Act of Remembrance at the alter.
Once the Service had concluded, S/Ms headed down to the Comrades Club where we had a final drink before returning home. Once again, Remembrance Sunday was a great success, BZ to all that were able to take part. We Will Remember Them.
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Click on any image below to view more photographs from Huntingdon & District Branch’s attendance on Remembrance Sunday:
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