Updated: Remembrance Services At Pirbright, Jacobs Well, Perry Hill, Plus Gallery Of Further Photos

Published on: 12 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 14 Nov, 2019

The Pirbright branch of the Royal British Legion, inspired by a seat at the entrance to the Thiepval Cemetery in France, has supplied a similar seat at the entrance to the Commonwealth War Graves in Brookwood Cemetery, Pirbright.

Pictured from left: Surrey County Councillor Keith Witham, Jane Halton, Guildford Borough Councillor Gordon Jackson, vice-chairman of Pirbright Royal British Legion (RBL) Philip Barralet, Steve Fidgett of the Lempriere Trust, president of Pirbright RBL Philip Perraton, John Warden of Pirbright RBL, Jim Rees chairman of Pirbright RBL and Paddy Cribb and Anne Hawkins also of Pirbright RBL.

The seat was funded by the branch, with financial help from local Surrey County Councillor, Keith Witham, via its Community Fund, and Pirbright’s Lempriere Trust.

It was installed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission staff at Brookwood, with assistance via Guildford Borough Councillor Gordon Jackson.

Worplesdon remembered its war dead and civilians who have suffered during conflict at a service in Jacobs Well this morning (November 11) and at St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill on Sunday.

Worplesdon Parish Council’s service of remembrance took place in Harry’s Field, Jacobs Well.

More than 30 people gathered in Harry’s Meadow behind Jacobs Well Village Hall for the service, led by the chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Dr Paul Cragg.

He said: “Each year we gather in Worplesdon to remember the dead, the lost and the injured from amongst the armed forces and of course from the civilian population. This year in particular we remember the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War Two.”

Piper Kenneth Thomson.

Piper Kenneth Thomson began the service playing the tune The Rowan Tree, and after the two-minute silence played the lament Flowers Of The Forest.

The names of each of the men of Worplesdon parish who gave their lives during the Second World War were read out.

Wreaths were laid on the memorial bench courtesy of Worplesdon Parish Council and Jacobs Well Residents’ Association.

Local resident Valerie Wells spoke movingly about a family member who died in the First World War and recalled her own memories of the Second World War on the home front as a child living in Stoughton.

This is the second year in succession the service of remembrance hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council has taken place in Harry’s Field. Since 2010 it had been held at the ‘Lilly Bell II” war memorial off Clay Lane with the junction of Queenhythe Road. The memorial commemorates four US Army Air Force airmen who died when their aircraft, nick-named ‘Lilly Bell II’, crashed in the field opposite on October 25, 1944.

It is because of the small space for people to gather on the small patch of grass, busy traffic on Clay Lane, and the noise the vehicles make as they pass, the parish council now holds the service in Harry’s Field.

Laying of wreaths at the ‘Lilly Bell II’ war memorial.

However, shortly after the main service wreaths were laid at the ‘Lilly Bell II’ war memorial and once again Dr Paul Cragg read out the names of the four young American airmen: Mercer W. Avent, John R. Hillmer, Joohn E. Wright, and Dale E. Dellenger.

Click here for recent story with podcast about the story of ‘Lilly Bell II’.

A parade and service of remembrance took place at Perry Hill, Worplesdon on Sunday morning (November 10).

All gathered in front of Worplesdon Memorial Hall for the parade to St Mary’s Church.

Local army cadets arrived early, assembling outside Worplesdon Memorial Hall to then march to St Mary’s Church for the Remembrance Sunday service and Eucharist at 10.45am.

Members of Surrey 4×4 Response.

Members of the Surrey 4×4 Response group co-ordinated a road closure on the A322 for the parade. Led by members of the church choir, it included the cadets and their leader Ian Clarke, other uniformed members, parents, residents and clergy including the Revd Alex Russell of St Mary’s and the Revd Colette Annesley-Gamester, chaplin to the cadets.

The Revd Colette Annesley-Gamester and her husband Lt Col Johnathon Harding.

The Revd Alex Russell and Jan Messinger.

On arrival at the church, the cadets took part in the act of remembrance which also included Worplesdon Memorial Hall trustee Jan Messinger and Lt Col Jonathan Harding reading the names on the roll of honour of 52 men who died in the First World War and 20 of those who gave their lives in the Second World War.

Worplesdon Memorial Hall trustee Mary Braughton.

Wreaths were laid by the cadets, the memorial hall trustees for the first time, and the clergy.

Last Post was sounded and the two-minute silence observed, with the National Anthem sung. The sermon was given by the Revd Colette Annesley-Gamester.

A gallery of further pictures from the weekend’s remembrance service and events.