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Introduction

This article is submitted on behalf of the of the members of the Normandy Veterans Association, West Cumbria (Branch No 51). It is a brief record of their commemoration of the Normandy Landings in the summer of 1944, held at Whitehaven, Cumbria on 6 June 2005. I would like to dedicate this article to the memory of all those who died during the Normandy campaign and the battles that followed, leading to the Liberation of Europe in May 1945.

The Service of Remembrance took part at the Normandy Veterans Commemorative Plaque in St Nicholas Church Gardens, Lowther Street, Whitehaven and was conducted by the Anglican Team Vicar of Whitehaven, the Reverend John Bannister. In a short but very moving and appropriate address to those present at the ceremony, Reverend Bannister asked the question "How long shall we remember?"

On Monday 6 June 2005, it was 61 years since the Normandy Landings. It was also a full twelve months since many of those present had been in Normandy for the 60th Anniversary Commemorations that had been seen all over the world. Time seemed to pass at an ever increasing rate.

The answer to his original question as to how long we should remember, Reverend Bannister suggested, was "As long as the world needs to remember". The Reverend Bannister went on to say that in September 2005 he would be travelling to Belgium to visit the grave of one of his grandfathers who was buried there after being killed in action during World War Two. This was the first time in his life he had felt he should make this pilgrimage.

Also taking part in the Commemorative Service were many from the post-war generations, especially some members of West Cumbrian Branches of the Army and Navy Cadets, showing the importance and relevance of World War Two to the modern world. Representing the wider community at the Service was the Mayor of Copeland, Mr Norman Clarkson and the Mayoress Mrs Yvonne Clarkson. Mr Clarkson laid a wreath at the Commemorative Plaque on behalf of the Normandy Veterans Association.

'Lest We Forget'

The Service of Commemoration began at 10.58 am on Monday 6 June 2005.

The Order of Service is given below.

Order of Service
Normandy Veterans Association
West Cumbria Branch 51

'ACT OF REMEMBRANCE AND COMMITMENT

The Reverend John Bannister:
"Let us remember before God,
And command to his sure keeping;
Those who have died in the service of their country;
Those whom we knew, and those whose memory we treasure;
And all those who have lived and died in the service of humanity."

Mr Joe Pooley, Chairman of the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans:
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
(NB-This is the fourth verse from the poem 'For the Fallen', written on 21 September 1914 by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943).

All:
"We will remember them."

At this point, 'The Last Post' was sounded by a member of the Navy Cadets, followed by artillery from members of the Army Cadets.

There was then a 'Two Minutes Silence'. By now it was 11.00 am, the time of the Armistice of World War One.

'The Reveille' was sounded by the Navy Cadet

Mr Joe Pooley:
"When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today."
(NB-The words of this epitaph are attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875-1958). They come from 'Inscriptions Suggested for War Memorials').

At this point, the Mayor of Copeland, Councillor Norman Clarkson, laid a wreath below the Normandy Veterans Plaque on behalf of the Veterans.

Then, four members of the Normandy Veterans Branch placed a poppy cross in a container of sand from the Normandy Beaches as a tribute to their comrades. Representing the Veterans Association Branch in this Act of Remembrance were Mr Jim Jolly, Mr Jack Farrell, Mr John Lowrey and Mr Leo Smith.

The Reverend John Bannister:
As previously explained above, the Reverend Bannister made a short address to those present. he then continued with the following prayer:

"Grant we pray Thee, O Almighty God, that we here, who do honour to the memory of our brethren’s loyal sacrifice, may be filled with the spirit of their love and courage, and forgetting all selfish and unworthy aims, may live together to the glory of Thy Name and in the service of our fellow men.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen."

All: (The 'Normandy Veterans Prayer'):

"O Eternal Lord God, who has united together all Veterans of the Normandy Campaign. Grant we beseech you, your Blessing and give strength to carry on our work to aid and bring Comradeship to all Normandy Veterans, and joy and common purpose throughout our Association. We ask this in the name of JESUS CHRIST whose courage never failed. AMEN."

The Reverend John Bannister:
"Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men: that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations."

All:
"Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to you and all mankind in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your spirit give us wisdom, give us courage, give us hope, and keep us faithful now and always. Amen."

All:
The Lord's Prayer: ‘‘Our Father ....…’’

The Reverend John Bannister then gave the Final Blessing and the Commemorative Service was concluded.

The Public Address system for the open-air service was arranged by the Salvation Army.
(NB- The above service followed a similar format to others held by the Branch in recent years).

Remembering times past: good and bad

After the commemorative service outlined above, Branch members of the Normandy Veterans Association graciously invited spouses, friends, official dignitaries and others present to a small friendly get-together at the nearby Whitehaven RLS Club. This gave everyone the opportunity to meet up and talk over many of their shared experiences during the war years or at previous ‘get-togethers‘.

It is important to commemorate those died during the war and the sacrifice that everyone made to achieve the peace that followed the war. However, Branch members, spouses and friends always stress it is important to remember the good things that happened in the war years, such as friendship, comradeship and shared enjoyment. These things are as relevant in 2005, when I have written this article, as they were in 1945 when World War Two ended.

Following sufficient time to talk over previous times, the Branch arranged a little entertainment for everyone present. It is to the great credit of the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans that they try to ensure the memory of the war years will continue long into the future.

Conclusion

I have previously written a number of articles about the Battle of Normandy. Over the years, I have received a lot of help from a number of members from the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association. It has been an honour that they have shared in their memories and values.

It gives me great pleasure to submit this article on behalf of the Branch members. It is important to remember those that died during the war. In addition, it is equally as important to learn and to remember the values that everyone believed in during "The People's War".

There is a time for solemn reflection and commemoration. There is also a time for friendship, laughter, singing and sharing. All of these were evident during the Normandy Veterans commemoration day on 6 June 2005. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it! I hope that this article may help contribute in a small way to the understanding and remembrance of the war.

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