Worplesdon Remembers All Who Were Affected by The Great War

Published on: 3 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 4 Aug, 2014

A most moving and fitting tribute was made in remembrance of all those who were affected by the First World War at St Mary’s Church in Worplesdon on Sunday afternoon (August 3).

Hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council, the service was led by the rector, the Rev’d Hugh Grear, and parish and Guildford borough councillor Bob McShee.

Young cadets pictured with Deputy Lieutenant David Hyper, Mayor David Elms and piper Kenneth Thompson.

The service began with a procession by cadets holding a banner with the words ‘Never to be forgotten / Remembering the fallen of Worplesdon 1914-1918’, accompanied by piper Kenneth Thompson. During the service the congregation and choir sang the hymns Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven, Eternal Father Strong To Save, and the National Anthem.

Worplesdon’s banner to the fallen.

There were also popular songs wartime songs – It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, Keep the Home Fires Burning and Pack Up Your Troubles.

Rupert Brooke’s poem The Soldier was read by Alistair McShee; John McCrae’s In Flanders Field was read by the Rev’d Martin Wright; and Jan Messinger read To Mollie (From a Hill-top in France); the latter a poem written by Duncan Tovey to his daughter. His name is on the roll of honour at St Mary’s Church.

Complementing the songs and poems was a Powerpoint picture display of wartime and related photos courtesy of local historian David Rose.

In his sermon, the Rev’d Hugh Grear spoke about Sir Edwin Lutyens’ design for the Cenotaph in Whitehall, and that while reflecting on the past we must also look forward and hope for peace throughout the world.

The service also included the laying of a wreath beside the roll of honour by the Mayor of Guildford, David Elms, and Deputy Lieutenant (Surrey) David Hyper.

Following the two-minute silence, Mr Hyper read the Exortation: “They shall not grow 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.”

The tilley lamp burns during the service.

Beside the altar steps a tilley lamp (courtesy of Timothy Hunt) burned throughout the service. At the end of the service the lamp along with all the lights in the church were put out in. This being in remembrance of the words said to have been spoken by Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, on the eve of the outbreak of the First World War 100 years ago: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

Deputy Lieutenant David Hyper, Bob McShee, Mayor David Elms and the the Rev’d Hugh Grear, who is also the mayor’s chaplain.

Worplesdon parish clerk Gaynor White with David Hyper. Behind them is Worplesdon’s roll of honour.

Also, don’t miss:

Worplesdon Memorial Hall, exhibition of First World War artefacts and local history, Monday, August 4, 2pm to 8pm.

The Great War Remembered is being hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council. See original First World War items loaned by local people. There will be a picture display by local historian David Rose to include old images of Worplesdon, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, Guildford war hospitals and the massive Witley Army camp. Display panels by David will also be on show telling the history of Guildford in the Great War.