Lyneham Remembers
9th November 2008
It's important to keep remembering, and it's not just limited to the First or Second World War.

Today, and over the Remembrance weekend, we remember twenty million victims of the Great War which ended 90 years ago this month, the war which was meant to end, all conflicts. But in 2008, thousands of British troops, are still risking their lives in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

A packed congregation gathered in St Michael and All Angels Church Lyneham to honour the fallen and all victims of conflicts.

The Remembrance Sunday service was conducted by Reverend Jesse Holland, in his first year as minister to Lyneham parish church, he asked everyone present to pledge themselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women, that they may help, encourage and comfort others, and to support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.

He boosted these words, by expressing his gratitude in these difficult times, where many people from the parish, play a pivotal part to help each other and care while the armed forces from Royal Air Force Lyneham are actively serving overseas in the latest and long running conflicts, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, all with one common aim, to strive for world peace.

Among the congregation where generations of local residents, serving and former service personnel, proudly wearing their war, campaign, conflict and recognition medals, glistening in the autumn sunshine, beaming rays through the south aisle windows.

As the Remembrance Service commenced, representatives from the four current squadrons stationed at the Wiltshire airbase, carried their own squadron standards, emblazoned with many different battle honours, showing the longevity of their proud and illustrious history. The standards were from No 24 Squadron, No 30 Squadron, No 47 Squadron and No 70 Squadron. Following the military standards, young people from the local community carried their own flags representing the local Guide and Scouting movements.

The purpose of today was to remember and to give thanks for those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. This year's events fell just two days before the 90th anniversary of the armistice at the end of World War I.

After the commemoration of Lyneham's war dead, and the lives of Hilton 22, the ten crew members of Hercules XV179, which tragically crashed during the local elections of Iraq in January 2005, a solo bugle sounded the Last Post played by Corporal Kate Browning from the Royal Air Force Police, RAF Lyneham.

Two minutes' silence was held to remember all the lives of the supreme service personnel and civilian counterparts fallen during the First Great War, The Second World War, The Falklands War, The Gulf Wars and recently, the countless lives lost in conflict both at home and overseas especially in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The station commander to RAF Lyneham, Group Captain Mike Neville, laid the first wreath of poppies at the alter.

Simultaneously, the monarch joined senior royals, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other political leaders in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph Memorial in Whitehall, central London. The solemn gesture took place in front of thousands of veterans who also gathered to pay their respects at this year's event.

The Queen stood solemnly at 11 o'clock as the nation marked a two-minute silence in memory of those who have perished defending the country. After a cannon marked the end of the silence, the monarch approached the Cenotaph, laying a wreath and pausing for a moment's reflection before joining family members.

Troops on active service in Iraq and Afghanistan also held their own poignant services. It was important for the nation to come together and remember all those that died fighting for their country. One-hundred-and-twenty-one young men and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan.

A Remembrance Day ceremony had already taken place in Afghanistan's largest military base, in Kandahar. Approximately 2,000 British servicemen and women are stationed there. In the 12 months since the last Remembrance Sunday service, 44 British men and women have died while serving their country, 39 of which were in Afghanistan.

This really was a time for them to pause and reflect. There was the last call; there were two minutes of silence. There were a number of hymns and also prayers delivered to those who lost their lives.

Henry Allingham, 112, Harry Patch, 110, and Bill Stone, 108, the three remaining First World War veterans who still live in the UK, are due to mark the two-minute silence at the Cenotaph to commemorate Armistice Day on Tuesday.

Remembrance Sunday Gallery 2008
Photographs taken on the Remembrance Sunday Service more

Memories
They shall grow not 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.
We remember them, Remembrance Facts more..