REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 2008

On Sunday 9 November, the village was joined by the El Alamein Platoon from ATR Bassingbourn to honour the dead of both world wars and all those who have been killed in combat since then.

In front of a packed church, Henry Burgess read the names from the Whaddon war memorials before the laying of the wreaths, Captain Lynn on behalf of his platoon, Norah Foster on behalf of the village and Molly van Poortvliet and Rachel Burgess, two members of the Rainbows, the part of the Guiding movement that is for the youngest children.

Rev. Di Williams, Associate priest for Bassingbourn and Whaddon presided at the service. Her husband, Rev. Ray Williams, gave the address, based on the reading from Gospel according to St John, chapter 15: ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’.

Captain Declan Lynn also spoke to the congregation and compared the young recruits under his command, leaving the freedom of civilian life, to those volunteers going off to the First World War. He revealed that part of the 14-week training that his soldiers receive takes in a visit to the war graves in Northern France. He also paid tribute to the wives and partners of those soldiers on tours of duty, who do not sign up to the Army but who shoulder the burden of being left behind to carry on family life without the support of their loved ones.

The visit of the Army to Whaddon on Sunday 9 November gave great meaning to this Service of Remembrance. We have a lot to be thankful for.