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Press Release
Burghfield
& District Branch of the Royal British Legion
Remembrance Sunday Parade, Sunday 12th November 2023
Every year the residents
of Burghfield assemble in the cemetery at St Mary's
Church in the village to remember the fallen named on
the Cenotaph in the cemetery. Also remembered are all
British and Commonwealth servicemen and women who have
given their lives over the years so that we can live
freely and peacefully. Recent troubles in Northern
Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan adds to this act of
remembrance. Today, 12th November 2023, some 300 plus
residents from both local adult and youth organisations,
as well as local government representatives, the Royal
British Legion (RBL), the uniformed Services, and the
Women's Institute paid their tributes by laying some 15
wreaths. The Rector of St Mary's, the Rev Glynn
Lautenbach, led the Service. During the Service a
flyover by a Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham and a
piped lament by Mr Colin Taylor added a military
resonance to the occasion. All uniformed organisations
and others marched to the Church from The Hatchgate Pub
in the village and, after the service, back again, with
the salute taken en route by Major John Steeds,
President of the Burghfield and District Branch of the
RBL. During this Service we are always reminded of the
epitaph engraved on the Memorial of the British 2nd
Division in the British War Graves Commission Cemetery
of Kohima (North East India), where one of the fiercest
battles against the Japanese was fought in April - June
1944:
"When you
go home, tell them of us and say: for your tomorrow, we
gave our today."
A highly successful,
memorable and, at times, moving event to remember all
those who had sacrificed their lives for their country.
The parade was organised
by Lt. Col. Bruce Neeves, Parade Commander and Chairman
of the Burghfield & District Branch of the Royal British
Legion.
Photographs: Charles Holden Photography
Contact: Tony Holden
tony@tonyholden.com 0118 9832459 |
