Category: Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

Can you support the Friends?

In a strange way this year we have seen more interest in ‘Remembrance’ than ever before! Individuals and families have been walking in the cemetery more frequently during lockdown, and reading the information displayed on noticeboards.

The Friends work hard throughout the year to make sure that notice boards, and our social media are kept current, interesting and informative. We are so pleased that many visitors have expressed interest in supporting us in our work, either by becoming members of the Friends or supporting events. You can download a membership application from this site. Please consider joining our ranks.

 

Gallipoli campaign.

Can we thank one of our contacts, Ian Binnie, as he also visited the cemetery on the 8th to lay a wreath on the grave to one of the soldiers, Private Horace George Turner , who lost his life during the Gallipoli campaign. Ian is Education Co-ordinator for the Gallipoli Association and was laying the wreath on behalf of the Gallipoli Association and the Warwickshire Yeomanry.

                                                                       

Old Soldier pays his respects on Armistice Day

Today at 11am on Armistice Day a few of us gravitated to the Cross of Sacrifice in the cemetery and observed the 2 minute silence. We were joined a little later by this gentleman who stood, at salute, for a full 2 minutes. Afterwards he exchanged a few words with several of us at the cross and explained that he had done his National Service in the 50’s and that he was also wearing his fathers medals. It made the moment very meaningful.

“THEY BURIED HIM AMONG THE KINGS BECAUSE HE HAD DONE GOOD TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD HIS HOUSE.”

November 2020 is the 100th Anniversary of the repatriation and burial of The Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

“Where did you lay to rest the body of my son?”  For many thousands, there was no answer to give.

This poignant question, often the first posed by grieving families upon publication of First World War casualty lists, left a strong impression on the Reverend David Railton, MC, a chaplain to the 2nd Battalion of the Hon. Artillery Company on the Western Front during the 1914-1918 war.

In 1916, in a back garden at Erkingham near Armentières in France, he had noticed a grave with a rough cross on which were pencilled the words ‘An Unknown British Soldier’.

In August 1920, now vicar of Margate in Kent, he wrote to Herbert Ryle, Dean of Westminster, suggesting just one of these unknown soldiers should be entombed among the kings in Westminster Abbey, a symbol of the country’s gratitude and a permanent memorial to the fallen of the Great War who had no known grave.

King George V and the government, rather reluctantly at first, supported the idea and on 11th November 1920, the second anniversary of the Armistice, David Railton saw his dream become reality.   After a service with hymns in the Abbey The Unknown Warrior was buried at the west end of the nave and the grave filled with soil brought from the battlefields of France.

The Union flag which covered the coffin had been used by Reverend Railton during the war to drape over his makeshift altars and over the bodies of soldiers killed in action.   Since 1921 ‘the Padre’s Flag’, as it is known, has hung in St George’s Chapel close to the Warrior’s grave.

 

 

 

 

Lovely tributes on Remembrance Sunday

We were so sad to have to cancel our normal Remembrance Day Service but were heartened to see so many people throughout the day stopping to pay their respects at the Cross of Sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of our committee laid wreaths at the Cross and also at the WW1 Memorial. Their wreaths were joined by those of the West Midlands Police Force, The Catholic Womens League and a tribute from the local community. There are still other wreaths to be laid later today but we think that , between us all, we have shown that the community as a whole pulled together to make Remembrance Sunday an ‘event’ despite these strange times. Thank you all.

We also welcomed Ian Binnie to the cemetery today who was visiting to lay a wreath on behalf of the Gallipoli Association and the Yeomanry Museum based in Warwick.  It was destined for the grave of  Private Horace George Turner – Service No. 2244 who lost his life in Souvla  Bay.

An unusual Remembrance, but never forgotten.

As we approach 11am today can I remind you that we have decided not to hold our usual Service of Remembrance following advice from The Director of Public Heath.

This does not mean that our thoughts are not all collectively on those that were lost as a result of conflicts. Deacon David , who usually leads our Remembrance, will be saying a prayer for everyone and during the day members of organisations will be laying wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive. Please observe the  silence today, or more importantly at 11am on the 11th, where ever you may be.

West Midlands Police were the first to arrive to lay their wreath.  Thank you all and hope to see you all next year.

Remembrance service 2020

Urgent update.

IT IS WITH REGRET THAT THE FRIENDS OF BRANDWOOD END HAVE DECIDED TO CANCEL THE USUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE IN BRANDWOOD END. WE HAD HOPED TO HOLD A SMALLER EVENT BEHIND LOCKED GATES BUT FOLLOWING ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR BIRMINGHAM, DR JUSTIN VARNEY, WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ENCOURAGE A GATHERING OF ANY DESCRIPTION.

OVER THE NEXT WEEK, EACH OF OUR WREATH LAYERS AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO VISIT INDEPENDENTLY AND PLACE THEIR WREATHS AT THE CROSS OF SACRIFICE SO BY 8th NOVEMBER THEY WILL ALL BE IN PLACE.  PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT ON THAT DAY TO OBSERVE THE 2 MINUTES SILENCE WHERE EVER YOU ARE.

WE WILL BE POSTING PHOTOGRAPHS OF EACH WREATH BEING LAID ON OUR WEB SITE   www.fbec.org.uk

IT WAS WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE MADE THIS DECISION, BUT WE ALL FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY AND ADHERE TO LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS AND THE ADVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED. WE HOPE WE CAN WELCOME YOU ALL BACK IN 2021.

Confirmation of Opening Times

Please always check the Birmingham City Council site to confirm the information below is up to date as changes can happen with little or no notice.

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/452/brandwood_end_cemetery

 

Due to COVID-19, visitors to cemeteries are reminded that they will still need to practice social distancing inline with government guidelines.
Current opening hours
Days                                           Hours

Monday and Tuesday          2pm to 4pm
Wednesday                             8:30am to 4pm
Thursday and Friday            2pm to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday          10am to 4pm
UNFORTUNATELT, DUE TO ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC HEALTH FOR BIRMINGHAM , WE HAVE DECIDED TO CANCEL OUR REMEMBRANCE SERVICE THIS YEAR. WREATHS WILL STILL BE LAID IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, BUT NOT AS PART OF A SERVICE.