Guildford Plans to Remember

Published on: 9 Nov, 2022
Updated on: 10 Nov, 2022

Two events are being organised by the borough council to mark Remembrance this year.

Armistice Day
On Friday, November 11 a short ceremony will take place on the balcony of the Guildhall in the High Street. The Mayor’s Chaplain, The Revd David Peters, will welcome those gathered, as we prepare for the two-minute silence.

Mr Ian Chatfield, 5th Queen’s Royal Regiment OMA, will read The Exhortation. Then a bugler from the Friary Brass Band will sound Last Post.

At 11am The Mayor, Cllr Dennis Booth, invited guests and members of the public, will observe the two-minute silence.

A cadet from the Combined Cadet Force at the Royal Grammar School will read the Kohima Epitaph. The ceremony will then close.

Remembrance Sunday
The Borough Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday November 13. The service will start at 9.45am at Holy Trinity church. Shortly before Col (Retd) Patrick Crowley MBE DL and the Mayor of Guildford, Dennis Booth, will lay flowers under the VC stones in Tunsgate.

After the church service, veterans and cadets will form the military procession. The mayor, councillors, and other dignitaries will form the civic procession.

Drummer Samuel Thomas, from the 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, will lead the Surrey Army Cadet Force (ACF) Corps of Drums. They will keep time at the front of the parade. This will start near the Royal Grammar School and make its way to the war memorial in Castle Grounds.

As people take their places, the Guildford High School brass ensemble will play. The two-minute silence will take place at 11am. Private Samuel Thomas will play the Last Post. Wreaths will be laid.

A bugler playing Last Post.

Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Tom Hunt said: “These events are our opportunity to show our appreciation for the sacrifice our Armed Forces and their families have made. We also remember those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.”

Council Leader Julia McShane added: “Seeing the cadets is always a highlight of the Remembrance service and parade. I would like to thank the ACF Corps of Drums for stepping up to lead the parade this year. We also welcome the Guildford High School brass ensemble for their first time at this event.

“It is so important that we pass on the tradition of Remembrance to the younger generation.”

Volunteer Poppy Appeal collectors will be on the streets of Guildford over the remainder of this week. Donations for the Poppy Appeal can also be made online at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/poppy-appeal

Other remembrance services will be held throughout the borough. Please contribute photos of your service (maximum two images per submission) complete with captions of up to 25 words.