Today, there were many people to see several organisations parade their Standards in memory of the fallen. In addition to the BLP, there were Standards from the Artist’s Rifles, multiple Scout groups and we were honoured by the WAAF/WRAF/RAF(W) Association mobilising their Standards.
We remembered two individuals. S/L Dickie Leven was a bomber pilot at Dunsfold and flew alongside eight Dutchmen, from 320 Sqn, Royal Dutch Naval Air Service, operating as part of the RAF’s 139 Wing at Dunsfold.
We also remembered Captain Arthur Steele of the French Section, Special Operations Executive. Captain Steele of the MONK circuit in Marseille, was executed at Buchenwald concentration camp in September 1944 and is remembered on the Memorial to the Missing 1939-1945, Brookwood Military Cemetery. Supporter of the Secret WW2 Learning Network, Carole Yeats travelled from Southampton to honour the memory of Captain Steele. Carole’s father had served with Steele in the pre-war band of the Royal Artillery before their ways parted when Steele volunteered for the SOE. Carole was invited to read the Exhortation as part of the Last Post ceremony.
In a rare appearance and the first time in almost a year, the BLP Union Flag was paraded by Mrs Sue Stallard. The BLP Standard by Alan Lopez. Mrs Ruth Moore was a bugler and Bert Steed was our padre.
Mrs Tracy Watson, Chair of the WAAF/WRAF/RAF(W) Association was invited to inspect the Standards at the end of the ceremony before we went round to the Trench Experience for some refreshments.
Brookwood Last Post 