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!
There was an interesting walk last week led by Ian Binnie from the Gallipoli Association. Lots of information on our 8 Gallipoli graves and thanks to Edwina Rees, Julia Griffin and Pat Franklin for their research and input. We were joined today by the nephew of one of those remembered, who fbec were able to contact following a previous Facebook post. Such interesting stories.
Lest we forget.
Today is International Holocaust Day.
We thought this webinaire may interest some of our followers. Please book via the link below.
Gill Binnie, 21 November 2022 1-2 pm at BMI
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.
This link will take you to our photo album, w
here 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.
Our annual Service of Remembrance will take place at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive on Sunday 13th November 2022 at 10.45am.
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.
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.
Those of you that follow our posts will know that several months ago the Commonwealth War Graves Commission re laid new turf in a small War Grave area adjacent to the main drive. This area is home to 8 of our 352 War Graves. Why these 8 are here together no one seems to know. Bereavements are mystified and so are the CWGC. The refreshing of this area has continued with the grass now lush and the addition of new perennial flowers at the foot of each stone. Looking good.
