Burghfield & District Branch of The
Royal British Legion
After the Covid restrictions
in 2020 the Burghfield
Branch of the Royal British
Legion were glad to be able
to celebrate Remembrance
Sunday, on the Centenary
year of the Royal British
Legion, with the traditional
parade. Over 500 people
attended on an overcast
Remembrance Sunday this year
at Burghfield St Mary’s
Church.
Photographs: Charles Holden
Photography
100
Years of Burghfield Women's
Institute
The Royal British Legion,
regular Army and Royal Air
Force were represented,
along with the Army and RAF
Cadets, NHS and SCAS, W.I.,
Explorers, Scouts, Guides,
Brownies, Cubs and Beavers
and a Chinook helicopter
from RAF Odiham flew low
over the churchyard as the
wreaths were laid. The
Donnachie family attended to
remember their son Paul, who
bravely gave his life in
action in Basra, Iraq in
2007.
The
service was taken by the Reverend
Glynn Lautenbach, Priest-in-Charge
of St Mary’s and Dr Anthony Peabody,
who is the Chaplain to the
Burghfield and District Branch of
the Royal British Legion, who
commented “A remarkable event, with
many more people attending than
expected, which does prove that
Remembrance Sunday is still an
occasion that remains at the
forefront of the nation’s minds even
in these uncertain times. There were
many well-behaved young people
present, which was uplifting and
does show that those who have given
their lives to protect us will not
be forgotten in the future.”
Members of the RIFLES Regiment
attended and a Bugler from the
Regiment played the Last Post and
Reveille.
Major
John Steeds, President of the
Burghfield and District Branch of
the Royal British Legion said
“The march from the Hatch Gate to
the War Memorial included the Royal
British Legion, The Rifles, the Army
and RAF Cadets, Scouts, Brownies,
Guides and Rangers, Women’s
Institute, Responders, Police and
many others. The Remembrance Service
was held outside, wreaths were laid
at the memorial, an RAF chinook flew
overhead and there was a final march
back past the saluting base outside
the Hatch Gate. A highly successful,
memorable and at times moving event
to remember all those who had
sacrificed their lives for their
country.”
The
parade was organised by Lt. Col.
Bruce Neeves, Parade Commander and
Chairman of the Burghfield &
District Branch of the Royal British
Legion, who commented “I was mindful
that this year was the centenary
year of the founding of the RBL. It
was a delight and an honour to have
such a good turnout from Burghfield
on this day.”
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