Category: Remembrance

Remembrance Service 2023

What a shame the weather was wet but that didn’t deter well over 100 people and over a dozen  wreaths being laid. Follow this link for a look at our morning.

Many thanks to all our supporters and a special shout out to Bereavement staff employee Tony Purcell who, despite being booted and suited, took time to tidy the area before people arrived.

We must also thank our Bugler Pete,  as his contribution sets the whole tone of the morning.

From our youngest ‘uniformed’ supporters to the other end of the scale entirely……..we thank you all.

Armistice Day 2023 , Saturday 11th November.

Ahead of working to remove shrubbery in the cemetery, 202 Multi-role Medical Regiment took place in a ‘Two Minute Silence’  at the Cross of Sacrifice. They were joined by a number of local people who were passing through the cemetery. They then placed Poppy Crosses by the screen walls and on  graves in the small War Grave Area before heading out to clear Holly and self setters from grave areas.

Four hours later we had lots of revealed graves and lots of bags of shrubbery!

 

Remembrance Service 2022

What an amazing turn out we had today for this annual Remembrance Service. Our new Bugler did us proud and so did the Flag Bearers from all three sections of 148th St Dunstans Scout Group. We were privileged to have an increased number of organisations laying wreaths this year.

  • Local area City Councillor
  • BCC Cemetery Staff
  • West Midlands Police Local Neighbourhood Team
  • West Midlands Fire Service Heritage Group
  • A representative of the local Freemasons Lodge
  • The Gallipoli Association
  • Representatives of the local Mercian Regiment
  • Representative of the Catholic Womens League
  • FBEC
  • Representatives of 148th St Dunstans Scouts, Cubs and Beavers.

This link will take you to our photo album, where I have tried to incorporate all the photographs shared to our ‘facebook’ page by those who attended, as I know many of you won’t have access to these.  I have also included a few below.

Despite this being a solemn occasion, there was great interest after the service in the helmet of one of our wreath layers!

Our thanks to everyone that attended, especially to those that travelled a distance.

 

Civilian Garden in the spotlight.

Today we were able to tell the story of the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and those that lie within.

Many of our visitors today had no  idea that  this peaceful area of reflection existed and certainly knew nothing of those buried within.

 

With the help of Matt Felkin and his wealth of knowledge,  we were able to answer many questions about Civilian casualties and local areas that received bomb damage.

Our thanks again to everyone that helped us deliver this Heritage Event and those who took the time to visit us, especially in this strange time of public mourning.

Tantalising information.

Those of you that follow a series on Chanel 5 called ‘Planes that won the War’ will have seen, in the episode screened on the 1st of July, the story of 8 Air man who lost their lives when their Lancaster  crashed into ‘Ben Eighe’, a mountain in Scotland. The crash site was very remote, and still is.

One of those lost, their Navigator, lived very locally and is  buried in Brandwood End. We hope to feature his story in the near future, so watch this space.

Should any of his relatives read this, please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com as we would love to know more.