Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 13th November, 2011

The day began with a Service of Remembrance in the parish church, St James-the-Less, at 10.55am. The Rev. David Childs conducted the proceedings and Thundersley Brass Cornets played the Last Post.

This was followed by a parade through Hadleigh High Street to the Chapel Lane War Memorial. The High Street having been closed to traffic by police so that the procession, led by Hadleigh Salvation Army Band, could march safely to the wreath laying ceremony.

At the end of a short service, a solemn, reflective mood descended on those surrounding the War Memorial. I found myself remembering those in my own family who had served in the Armed Forces; in particular, my great uncle who died of his wounds, aged 24 years, on the Somme in1916.

This was the first Armistice Day (11.11.11) with no surviving veterans of World War One. It is also the 90th Anniversary of the birth of The Royal British Legion, which was created in response to the suffering of those First World War combatants. As the haunting notes of the Last Post hung on the breeze, I thought of all those buried in France alongside my great uncle:

“For your tomorrow…

                                                               We gave our today”

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.