The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance.

Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

View our News & Events calendar for details of local Remembrance events.

Remembrance Sunday 10th November 2019

On a bright and sunny November morning our parade assembled on Church Street at 9.00am. The number on parade was enhanced by over 100 young people from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, and members of the Emergency Services, including the Fire and Ambulance services, First Response Teams and Community Police Officers, and over 50 new walkers from the village community who carried Poppy Crosses commemorating those Wargrave men and women who died in the two world wars.  At 9.30am, led by the Parade Commander, Colonel Barry Paddison, and the St Sebastian's Band from Wokingham.  The parade marched along the High Street, down Station Road and on to St Mary's Church for the Remembrance Service.

St Mary's Church was packed for the service which was led by the reverend John Cook.  The Remembrance Service address was given by the Reverend Hugh Barne who made a special point of addressing his talk to the younger members of the congregation.

After the Church Service the parade and congregation assembled on Mill Green by the War Memorial to partake in the traditional Service of Remembrance, which included the two-minute silence, the reading of the names on the Memorial and the placing of wreaths and planting of 69 poppy crosses in memory of all of those who gave their lives in the first and second world wars.  Poppy crosses were planted by descendants of 10 men named on the Memorial; 19 poppy crosses were planted by two School Captains from The Piggott School in memory of the ex-Piggott School pupils, who died and the remainder were planted by members of Wargrave Scouts, Brownies and Guides.  The Parade marched back to Church Street where they were dismissed.

A truly memorable Remembrance Service, attended by several hundred members of the village community who were so obviously moved by the Spirit of Remembrance.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

David Smith

Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Wargrave Branch.

Last updated Jan 2020