Remembrance service honours veterans at RAF Welford

mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk

Published: 09:00, 17 November 2024

A private Remembrance service was held at RAF Welford last week.

Military personnel, civic dignitaries and distinguished guests gathered to pay their respects to Armed Forces veterans, past and present, down at the Memorial Grove on Thursday, November 7.

RAF Welford Historical Society chairman Alan Bovingdon-Cox and Julie Mintern, vicar of Lambourn, leading the service. Credit: Adam Enbal / USAF

Visitors included Mayor of Newbury Andy Moore and the Mayor’s attendant Garry Poulson; High Sheriff of Berkshire Alexander Barfield; Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire Julian Walker; Barry Digby, Adrian Edwards, David Glover, Dorothy Glover, Helen Mannerings and Derek Milam of the Newbury Royal British Legion; former chair of the Women’s Section of Newbury RBL Elizabeth Williams and former chair of Newbury RBL Keith Williams.

Service personnel pay their respects at RAF Welford Remembrance service. Credit: Adam Enbal / USAF

USAF Major Marques Reyes also attended the ceremony for the first time as the new Base Commander of RAF Welford.

New RAF Welford Base Commander Major Marques Reyes laying a wreath at the Memorial Grove. Credit: Adam Enbal / USAF

Standard-bearers stand to attention at RAF Welford Remembrance service. Credit: Adam Enbal / USAF

He took over command of the 420th Munitions Squadron from Major Preston Smith back in June.

Representatives of the 501st Combat Support Wing, Royal Air Force, West Berkshire Council, Chaddleworth Parish Council, Welford Parish Council, West Berkshire Parachute Regiment and the RAF Welford Historical Society also attended and laid wreaths during the service.

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