Today saw a great turnout with representatives from the UK & Canadian Intelligence Corps, Cadets from Woking Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, and a contingent of adult Scout leaders planning an expedition to Ypres next year. We were greatly honoured to have family members of one of the Individual Remembrance subjects with us today.
Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums were in attendance making the ceremony extra special today.
We had technical difficulties with sound which we hope didn’t cause our audience to miss any part of what was a fascinating ceremony.
Royal Marine Cadet Toby begun our Individual Remembrance section and said a few words about his Great, Great Uncle, Sub Lieutenant Leonard Anthony Cole (Tony) who was presumed to have lost his life on Saturday, 9th December, 1944 as the result of an aircraft incident at sea.
Col Fox (Retired) of the Intelligence Corps talked about the their work and the sacrifices made since its inception.
Paul McCue rounded off the Individual Remembrance section by talking about Flying Officer Leonard Maurice Gray, service number: 50745 of the 180 Squadron, Royal Air Force, RCAF Dunsfold. F/O Gray died on 6th October, 1944, exactly 80 years ago today when twelve B-25 Mitchell II bombers took off from Dunsfold to attack a petrol and oil dump, west of Amersfoort, Holland. As the aircraft climed away from Dunsfold, two collided in the cloud, and one safely returned, the other crashed, killing all four of its crew at Blacknest Farm, Chiddingfold Road, Dunsfold.
Our Senior Standard Bearer Tom Milne has retired from bearing Standards and has volunterred to be the associations’ full time Parade Marshall. This is an excellent move as the ceremony should be a little more organised going forward.
Alan Lopez paraded the BLP standard and there were standards on parade from the Artist’s Rifles, Woking Naval Association, the Intelligence Corp, and Woking Sea Cadets.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Intelligence Corps and the Candian Intellignece Corps, with Cadet Toby laying a wreath remembering Sub Lieutenant Cole.
Ruth Moore sounded the Last Post and a member of Gordon’s School performed the Piper’s Lament.
Afterwards we retired to the Trench Experience to keep swapping stories and to seek cover before the rain started to fall.
The ceremony was recorded and may be watch back here.
Thank you to everyone involved, Alan Meeks for the video and Mike Hillman for the photographs.
Brookwood Last Post 