The Remembrance Sunday service was led by Revd. Julian Staniforth and took place in the Church of St Mary the Virgin on November 12th.
The Upchurch uniformed youth organisations paraded from Drakes Hut as the rain eased and formed a guard of honour along the entrance to the south door of the church.
At the service, a very full church remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and subsequent conflicts for this Nation. Eight wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were on behalf of the Church, the Mayor of Swale, The Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association, Ferques (our twin village in France*), Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and the Upchurch Brownies.
The names of all those on the Upchurch memorial tablets in the Lady Chapel who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were then read out in the order recorded. At 11.00 hours, the 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 damp and dull morning only brightened by the autumnal foliage. 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, a blanket 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
“Christmas Crescendo”
