Guildford Solemnly Remembers The Human Cost of Conflict

Published on: 8 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 9 Nov, 2015

The Mayor, Cllr Nikki Nelson-Smith, laying a poppy wreath at Guildford War Memorial today watched by Anne Milton MP and next to her Sue Sturgeon managing director of Guildford Borough Council (in the red robe).

Guildford remembered its war dead again today (November 8) 100 years on from a time when the huge and tragic human cost of the First World War was first being realised.

The mayor led the wreath laying ceremony at Guildford’s war memorial in the peaceful autumnal setting of the Castle Grounds, the overcast sky adding to the solemn scene. Old soldiers and young cadets stood to attention as Last Post was sounded, standards and banners lowered in salute and the two-minute silence strictly observed.

A large crowd of spectators gathered to witness the ceremony in the Castle Grounds.

The famous verse from Lawrence Binyon’s “For the fallen” was read out and the large crowd of spectators joined in the response, “We will remember them.”

To music from the Friary Brass Band veterans of our local Queen’s Regiment had led the column that marched from Holy Trinity Church, where a service of remembrance was held, down the High Street and through Tunsgate to the war memorial.

Second World War medals like these proudly worn by Ted are becoming a less common sight.

Second World War medals like these: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, proudly worn by veteran Ted Roberts, are becoming a less common sight.

Second World War medals are becoming less common as veterans from that conflict are practically all in their nineties now, but the numbers attending the ceremony showed that younger generations are, apparently, still keen to pay their respects.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS asked several attendees what had brought them to the ceremony.

Hannah Ravenhill and her boyfriend have just moved to Guildford and having found out online when the ceremony would take place had come simply to remember the sacrifice of others.

Ann Bailey whose brother was killed in Canada while undertaking aircrew training.

Ann Bailey from St Catherine’s, attends every year with her husband David to remember her brother who was killed while training to be a pilot in Nova Scotia, Canada during the Second World War.

Justin White.

Justin White said: “I have been coming for several years as a mark of respect for my great grandfather who fought in the First World War with the Queen’s Regiment. He was one of the lucky ones who came home after two years fighting.”

Ted Roberts, a 99-year-old Mancunian, did not let his age or a recent brain operation put him off attending. He was wearing five Second World War medals showing that he had served in North Africa and Italy.

Ted Roberts a recent brain operation did not prevent him attending to remember old comrades.

Ted Roberts being interviewed. A recent brain operation did not prevent him attending to remember old comrades.

Still sharp, he said: “I had joined the Royal Army Service Corps in 1937 as a regular soldier. I was in France in 1940 and then went out to join the 8th Army in Egypt in 1942.

“I was in a petrol company, our job was to supply different units with the fuel they needed. We came under a bombing attack at one stage and I had to quickly drive one of the tankers out of harm’s way.

“After North Africa I went to Malta, then Sicily before taking part in the fighting up through Italy. I ended up in the 10th Army in the Alps near the Austrian border.

“My wife isn’t here, she’s at home helping to prepare the roast dinner. We’ve been married for 70 years. It was because of her that I moved to Guildford.”