大象传媒

Introduction

This article was submitted to the 大象传媒 鈥淧eople鈥檚 War鈥� website by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer story-gatherer for the 大象传媒 Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk group of volunteers. The author has read and understood the terms of the 大象传媒 鈥淧eople鈥檚 War鈥� website.

On Remembrance Sunday 13 November 2005 communities throughout Britain commemorated fallen comrades, family members and friends. This article is about one such service held at Whitehaven, Cumbria.

In memory of so many men and women

The Remembrance Sunday service held in Whitehaven in 2005 was especially poignant as it was the year of the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As well as the numerous national commemorations for the 60th Anniversary of the war, the citizens of Whitehaven and West Cumbria have had a number of local events including a 'Victory parade' at Whitehaven for Cumbrian veterans in June 2005 and another Parade for the anniversary of 'VJ Day' at Egremont in August.

Thanks in a large part to these events, it is not just the wartime generation that remembers the sacrifices of the war years. At the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Whitehaven Cenotaph in Castle Park were all age groups and many family groups.

The service at the Cenotaph was led by Reverend John Bannister, Anglican Rector for the town. According to Reverend Bannister Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are not just about the politics of war. Rather, they are about remembering those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice after responding to the call of their country, regardless of politics. Other clergy present included Reverend Nan Pryde (Free Church), Reverend Matthew Carney OSB (Roman Catholic) and Reverend Canon Philip Bryan (Anglican), the Mayor's Chaplain.

In this special anniversary year for the end of World War Two special reference was made to those who had died in that war. Among the civic dignitaries who laid poppy wreaths at the Cenotaph were Councillor Norman Clarkson, the Mayor of Copeland, and the MP for the Copeland Constituency, Jamie Reed. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of various organisations from the wider community, such as the Royal British Legion, the three Cadet Forces, Round Table, Lions Club and the St John's Ambulance. For many of the World War Two veterans it is still important to honour fallen comrades and ensure that their memory lives on.

One of the veterans who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph was Joe Toner, who represented the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association. Showing that Remembrance Sunday is important for the younger generations, several of Joe's relatives watched him perform this important duty, including Joe's young grandson Nicholas who has written his own article about Remembrance Sunday 2005 for the 大象传媒 "People's War" website (Reference ID A7111108).

Several Standards representing various organisations were also carried by their Standard Bearers. One of these was representing the Kells Branch of the Royal British Legion carried by Jimmy Hughes. Another of the Standards present was that of the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association carried by George Dunn. Unfortunately, I did not get the names of the other Standard Bearers.

It would be unfair not to mention that there were also others present who remembered family and friends who had died in conflicts and wars after 1945. Sometimes, in thinking about the World Wars, the loss of loved ones in these later conflicts is often overlooked. Since 1945 service men and women have died in conflicts such as Suez, the Falklands and the Gulf Wars. Remembrance Sunday is not just about the two World Wars.

A parade and a Service of Remembrance

Following the formal wreath laying at the Cenotaph by the dignitaries and organisations, those members of the general public who wished to place a poppy cross at the Cenotaph were allowed to do so. Then, the Borough Band led the veterans, cadets, councillors and others who wished to march in a parade around the town. This finished at the Civic Hall, where a Service of Remembrance was held.

Readings at the service were by the Mayor, Councillor Norman Clarkson, Reverend Nan Pryde and the Chief Executive of Copeland Council, Dr John Stanforth. The sermon was given by Reverend Philip Bryan, the Mayor's Chaplain. Again, a special reference was made to those who remembered the Second World War. At the end of the service, those present sang two verses of the National Anthem ('God save our gracious Queen...').

After the formal service, light refreshments were available and time for a 'craic' (friendly conversation) with family and friends. The wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph followed by the Service of Remembrance are conducted solemnly. Afterwards, over a cup of tea, was an opportunity for everyone to talk over previous times. Many of the wartime veterans took great pride in passing on their memories of the war years to younger family members and friends.

Conclusion

The large number of people present for the wreath laying ceremony at Whitehaven Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday 2005 shows that it is not a forgotten memorial to wars long past. For many of those present, World War Two remains part of their living memory.

Inevitably, those who remember the war years will get fewer as each year passes. However, the interest taken by the many families and younger people suggests that the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Inscribed on the Whitehaven Cenotaph is a telling phrase that explains why it was originally placed there. The same phrase explains why the Cenotaph is still there: 鈥淟est we forget鈥�.

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