Remembrance Sunday 2022 - Upchurch

The Remembrance Sunday service was led by Revd. Nick Carpenter and took place in the church of St Mary the Virgin on November 13th. The Upchurch uniformed youth organisations paraded from Drakes Hut and formed a guard of honour before the Remembrance. At the service, a very full church remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and subsequent conflicts for this Nation. Seven wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were on behalf of the Church, the Mayor of Swale, Ferques (our twin village in France*), Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and the Upchurch Brownies. The names of all those from Upchurch who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were then read out in the order recorded on the memorial tablets in the Lady Chapel. At 11.00 hours a bugler played the Last Post and the two minutes silence was observed.

At the end of the service, the choir led the congregation out to the middle burial ground. Wooden Remembrance crosses were laid at each of the five War Grave Commission graves by past members of the Armed or Civilian services. After the crosses were laid, all those present stood in silent Remembrance on what was a calm but misty morning. This act concluded with prayers.

It was pleasing to see the village showing poppies on lamp posts, knitted poppies on the church railings and elsewhere. In the cemetery, an arch of poppies had been erected, guarded by two silhouettes of “Tommys”, acknowledging the fallen. My Royal British Legion thanks to those responsible for these displays.

*Upchurch Parish Council sends a wreath to Ferques for laying on Armistice Day when the French remember their war dead.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com