Battlefields Tours

posted by Battlefields Tours on Nov 7

Eurostar has seen an increase in the number of enquiries both nationally and internationally, about travel to sites and memorials where many family members involved in the conflicts of the two World Wars lost their lives and few survived. St Pancras International is London’s gateway to the battlefields and war graves in Belgium and Northern France.

This interest has principally been generated from the media coverage around the passing of the last British WW1 veterans and the various key anniversaries of both world wars.

This special Remembrance Day mark’s another chapter in Britain’s history and for the second consecutive year, a service will be held at St Pancras International at 10:45 with the two-minute silence being observed on Eurostar trains and at stations at 11:00. A poppy display will be on the glass wall surrounding the Eurostar platforms at the station – creating the longest poppy wall in London.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Ranald Leask, commented: “For the commission, remembering those who fell in the two World Wars remains as important as ever, and given the recent deaths of Harry Patch and Henry Allingham – the last British servicemen who fought in the Great War – it is perhaps all the more important that this November, we pause to reflect on their sacrifice. Visitor numbers to the thousands of cemeteries and memorials which the Commission maintains continues to increase, as interest in the events which shaped the country we live in today grows.”

Eurostar’s Director of Communications, Mary Walsh, commented: “During the World Wars, rail and boat-train was the only way for British and Allied troops to travel to and from the front which used to take several days. Today, it is high-speed rail which provides easy, fast access along the route. Lille and Brussels are the principal destinations which are located close to many of the war grave sites. We are very proud to participate in Remembrance Day on Wednesday 11 November.”

posted by Battlefield Tours on Oct 28

Remembrance Sunday on November 8 will be marked in Frome with a ceremony organised by the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion.

The branch is expecting more than 150 people to take part in this year’s event which marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

Crowds will gather to remember the men and women who fell in the two world wars as well as the uniformed forces serving in areas of conflict across the world.

Organisations including the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Force Association, the Royal Naval Association, the Army Cadets, representatives from the police and the fire brigade and Frome Town Council, Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council will gather at Keyford Drill Hall at 10.20am for the short walk from Keyford, down hill to the memorial gardens, outside the Frome Memorial Theatre at Christchurch Street West.

At 10.45am three engraved planters in the Memorial Garden will be dedicated and entrusted to the care of the Frome Memorial Theatre trustees, to the memory of those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

At 10.58am there will be a service beginning with a two-minute silence. Local organisations will then be invited to lay wreaths.

When the parade has been dismissed members of the public will be welcome to come forward to pay their own respects. Poppies and crosses will be available at the Remembrance Garden. The Assembly Rooms will be open after the service for the public for refreshments. Proprietor, Sally Gregory, will be donating takings on coffee to service charities.

At 6.30pm there will be a formal service of remembrance at St John’s Church, Frome, when the Royal British Legion Standard will be paraded. All are welcome.

Similar acts of remembrance will be held in villages across the Frome area.

Collections for the Poppy Appeal are underway.

The order of service for the Remembrance Sunday parade will be as follows:

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 8 2009

FROME WAR MEMORIAL : MORNING 10.58 am

(The Chaplain introduces the Act of Remembrance)

We are here to worship Almighty God, whose purposes are good; whose power sustains the world he has made; who loves us, though we have failed in his service; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; who by his Holy Spirit leads us in his way. As we give thanks for his great works, we remember before God and commend to his sure keeping:

Those who have died for their country in war;

Those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;

And all who have lived and died in the service of mankind.

(Parade: to Attention)

(Bugle call) THE LAST POST

(The Chairman of Frome RBL then says the Exhortation)

They shall not grow 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.

(All repeat)

We will remember them.

TWO MINUTES SILENCE IN MEMORY OF THE DEAD

(The Chairman of Frome RBL breaks the silence with The Kohima Epitaph)

When you go home; tell them of us, and say

That for your tomorrow, we gave our today.

(Bugle call) REVEILLE

(The Chaplain then says)

Almighty and eternal God,

From whose love in Christ we cannot be parted either by death or life;

Hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day.

Fulfil in them the purpose of your love;

And bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Parade: At Ease)

THE WREATH LAYING (Led by The Mayor of Frome.)

(The Chaplain then says the Royal British Legion Prayer)

Grant, O merciful God, that with malice towards none, with charity to all,

With firmness in the right as Thou givest us to see the right,

We may strive to finish the task which Thou hast appointed us,

to bind up the Nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle,

and for the widow and the orphan;

to do all that may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations; through Jesus Christ the Lord.

(Hymn) ‘Abide with me’

THE BLESSING

PARADE DISMISSES

posted by Battlefield Tours on Oct 28

The annual Remembrance Sunday Parade through Castle Donington will be taking place on Sunday 8th November.

Traditionally starting at the Soldiers & Sailors Club on Clapgun Street and finishing at the War Memorial on High Street.

* Meet the the Soldiers & Sailors at 10.15 am
* The Parade leaves the Soldiers & Sailors Club at 10.40 am
* Proceeds down Clapgun Street, Dovecote and on to Delven Lane
* Arriving at the War Memorial (by the traffic lights on High Street) for 11.00 am

The Castle Donington Branch of the Royal British Legion, Rotary Club, Probus Club, Brownies, Cubs, Army Cadets, Scouts and Guides will all be taking part.

High Street will be closed for a short period of time at the War Memorial for the laying of poppy wreaths and Two Minutes Silence at 11.00am.

Refreshments are being served at the Soldiers & Sailors Club afterwards.

Everyone welcome!

posted by Battlefield Tours on Oct 26

About The Poppy Factory:

The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey makes paper poppies and wreaths for Remembrance Day, 11 November. The factory workers, many disabled ex-Service and dependents, make poppies all year round and free factory tours are available.The Poppy Factory was formed back in 1922 when disabled ex-Service came home from the war and found no employment. The factory moved to its current site in Richmond in 1933.

Who Makes The Poppies?:

Most of the employees are disabled ex-Service or dependents of ex-Service people.As well as the Poppy Factory, there about about 80 homeworkers and some residential homes and disabled groups who also make poppies.

Why Do We Wear Red Poppies?:

It’s our way of remembering those who fought and lost their lives in World War I. But why poppies? Poppies were the first flowers to grow over the soldier’s graves in Belgium and northern France so we think of them as a symbol of new life after so much atrocity. Selling poppies all started with an American war secretary being inspired by Canadian doctor John McCrae’s poem:In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row…

Find out more about poppy selling from this BBC News article.

About The Factory Tours:

Groups of a maximum of 42 can take part in one of two daily guided tours at 10.30am and 1.30pm, Monday to Thursday. The tour takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and they even give you a cup of tea and biscuits at the end!Tours run by arrangement so simply contact them to arrange for a group visit, or if it’s for individuals to visit just ask which tour you can join in with. Visits to the Poppy Factory are very popular and it’s recommended you book as far ahead as possible.

Incredibly, The British Legion Poppy Factory offer these tours for free.

Souvenirs:

There are a few souvenirs to purchase including the Poppy Factory china from the shop.

Contact Details:

The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory Ltd.
20 Petersham Road
Richmond
Surrey TW10 6URNearest Tube and Train Station: Richmond

Tel: 020 8940 3305

Fax: 020 8332 1205

Official Website: www.poppyfactory.org

posted by Battlefield Tours on Oct 3