Thatcham honours fallen and veterans at Remembrance Sunday Service
Hundreds turned out to pay their respects at Thatcham’s Remembrance Service on Sunday.
Dignitaries, veterans, Scouts, cadets, church officials, volunteers from St John Ambulance, members of the Women’s Institute and others departed from the Kingsland Centre car park at around 10.30am.
They were greeted by crowds as they marched through the Broadway and High Street to the War Memorial, where Mark Bennet led the Act of Remembrance.
Speaking at the Parade Ground, Mayor of Thatcham Suzanne Adamantos said: “It is a great honour to be part of this commemoration today. It’s good to see so many people here paying their respects.”
The service followed and included prayers, hymns, wreath laying, The Lord’s Prayer and National Anthem.
The Exhortation was recited by the chairman of the Royal British Legion Thatcham Branch Brian Hare.
This is based on an extract from the poem ‘For the Fallen’, written by Robert Laurence Binyon shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
He was buried alongside his wife at St Mary's Churchyard in Aldworth.
The Last Post was sounded by a bugler from Cold Ash Brass band, and a two minute silence was observed at 10.58am. The Reveille was sounded after.
The Kohima Epitaph was recited by the secretary of the Royal British Legion Thatcham Branch John Sharpe.
The ceremony concluded and many attendees left the Parade Ground to attend a smaller service at St Mary’s Church.
A record 25 wreaths were laid in tribute at the recently refurbished War Memorial.
Thatcham Memorial Foundation has recently started a Friends and Guardians group for the War Memorial. Membership is open to all.
The charity is hosting a fundraising event on Thursday, November 27, in aid of the War Memorial Fund.
Thatcham historian Nick Young will be giving a talk on the history of the War Memorial and some of the individuals recorded.
Tickets are available from the Memorial Hall for £10 per person, which includes a drink on arrival.
Please call 01635 868244 or contact enquiries@thatchammemorial.org.uk for further information.
