The September Last Post was a Jewish themed ceremony with the Israeli Ambassador, Mr Mark Regev in attendance.

Paul McCue of the Secret WW2 Learning Network led tributes to a number of Jewish people lost in WW2, including the 23 Jewish volunteers for OPERATION BOATSWAIN, mounted jointly by the Special Operations Executive and the Palmach in May 1941. All 23, and their British liaison officer, Major Sir Anthony Palmer, are commemorated on Brookwood’s Memorial to the Missing 1939-45. In particular, and on behalf of Ambassador Gershon Gan, we remembered his cousin Amiram Shohat, one of the 23.

Our Individual Remembrance remembered the other Jewish agents of SOE and especially Captain Enzo Sereni and Ensign Denise Bloch, both also listed on the Memorial.

We welcomed family members, one of whom had come from New Zealand, of Flying Officer Ernest Fooks RNZAF and Warrant Officer Terry Riordan. Both had been commemorated, along with their crew members, the previous day (31st Aug) by the unveiling of a memorial where their aircraft crashed, following a mid-air collision, close to Dunsfold aerodrome, Surrey.

We also remembered the brother of Ernest Fooks, Pilot Officer Harry Fooks, who was killed in a flying accident 21 July 1941 and who is buried close to his brother, in plot 2, row F, grave 7.

Our Standard Bearer was Mr Alan Lopez, our bugler was Ms Taz Beattie, our Parade Marshal was Ian Cartwright and Mr Rob Bennett officiated over the ceremony.

Afterwards we retired to the Trench Experience for a cup of tea.

Today before the monthly ceremony, Members of the Brookwood Last Post Association visited the Woking Peace Garden on Horsell Common.

Our ceremony today was a multi-faith ceremony with representatives from the Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, & Jewish faiths, all reciting verses and prayers. The Mayor of Woking, Cllr Beryl Hunwicks was in attendance.

We remembered Flying Officer Arthur Tindale and Soldato Riccardo Pisillo,

Flying Officer Arthur Tindale, 406605 Royal Australian Air Force, serving with 267 Sqn RAF, died in an accident 4 August 1944, aged 33. A former pupil of Guildford Grammar School, Guildford, Western Australia. He is buried at plot 4, row O, grave 8.

Soldato (Private) Riccardo Pisillo, 66853 Italian Army died 4 August 1944. He is buried at plot 16, row C, grave 8.

Rob Bennett and Bert Steed ran the ceremony. Mandy Johns sounded the Last Post, Alan Lopez carried the BLP Standard, and Paul McCue of The Secret WW2 Learning Network read out the individual remembrances.

Afterwards we retired to the Trench Experience for refreshments.

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Today we remembered the contribution that people from the Muslim faith have given to conflicts and those who paid the ultimate price.

A large gathering of Muslims and others paid homage to WW1 Muslim soldiers by visiting the Muslim Plot at the Military Cemetery and then joining us for our Remembrance ceremony.

The prayer was led by Imam Hafiz Hashmi -the Head Imam of the historic Shahjahan Mosque. Major Mohammed Naveed – Armed Forces Muslim Association gave a brief talk on the Muslim involvement of the Indian Army in the British Armed Forces past and present.

Our Individual Remembrance was read by Dr Zafar Iqbal for Sepoy Sikander Khan, who is buried in the Muslim plot.

Our Standard bearer was Alan Lopez and our bugler was Ruth Moore.

We were extremely honoured to have the Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums band attend and a lone piper performed the Piper’s Lament as his final act for the school.

The service was concluded with an inspection of the Standards by Major Mohammed Naveed and singing of the British National Anthem. Afterwards everyone went round to the Trench Experience for refreshments. Photos by Kevin Barker.