Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch
In a joint effort with Harwell Gardening Club, a “Tommy Silhouette” has been purchased by the Branch and erected in place adjacent to the village war memorial on the High Street by the Gardening Club.
This was completed as part of a drive by the Gardening Club to overhaul the flower beds around the memorial and revitalize the space.
Photos taken by and thanks offered to Mr Graham Davies
This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and as a significant milestone year, much like in 2014 and 2019, an event was held on 5th June in recognition of the aircrew and soldiers that took off from Harwell for the D-Day operations.
As part of the significant milestone year, being the 80th Anniversary since D-Day, Harwell Branch RBL, supported by Harwell Campus, organised a “Festival of Remembrance evening at the Memorial stone, and saw an exciting evening’s entertainment, with a mix of history, remembrance and musical entertainment.
Local Dignitaries from Harwell and Chilton Parish Councils, plus members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) from Harwell Branch and the RBL County accompanied the Deputy Lieutenant, Brig Dennis Blease the event’s Guest of Honour to a light buffet hosted by Harwell Campus before arriving at the Harwell memorial Stone to join the waiting public and marching band of the 1460 (Banbury) Squadron Air Training Corps, who offered musical accompaniment to the evening’s event with tunes from the period.
Steve Wright, a prominent D-Day Historian, and long-standing supporter of D-Day commemorations at Harwell gave a rousing historical retelling of the events leading up to 5th June, offering a feeling of what the airfield would have looked like 80 years ago, and detailing the operations the troops who left Harwell took part in.
A 2 minute silence was recognised after which a wreath was laid by the Guest of Honour.
Poppy Appeal collection buckets and card readers were circulating during the event and raised £644, with thanks to Hazel Benton for the effort put in.
Thanks are also due to Steve Guest, Natalie Gelder and Bex Duvall of Harwell Campus for hosting the invited guests with a light buffet, and proving chairs for the guests and, printing programmes, and to Alan Proctor (and team) for managing the car parking and event security.
Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page – Facebook link
Peter Davies
Harwell RBL Branch Ceremonial Officer
This year’s annual D-Day Service held at the Harwell Stone recognised the 80th anniversary since D-Day, was held on the evening of Saturday 8th June and was supported in great numbers in part thanks to the National press highlighting the significance of the anniversary year.
The event was once again well attended by local dignitaries, veterans, youth groups, representatives of local businesses and local residents, key amongst which was the Guest of Honour Lt Gen Andrew Harrison, the Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment.
The event was jointly organised by the Harwell Branch of the Royal British Legion and Stve Guest of Harwell Campus with the support of Harwell and Chilton Churches.
The parade was opened by a dynamic and exciting flying display by a Tiger Moth, organised by Rich Pillans, flown by Robin Russell of the Tiger-9 display team.
The Guest of Honour, Lt Gen Harrison joined the event fresh from his visit to Normandy, taking part in commemorations across the region, led the wreath laying and offered his own words of remembrance at the end of the service, pointing out in his 30+ years of visiting Normandy in early June, this was the first time he considered where in the UK those troops had taken off from.
A total of 42 wreaths were laid, from a wide scope of organisations: In additional to the guest of honour, there was another National Representative, the National Vice-Chair of the RBL, there was local authority representation from Didcot, Wantage and Abingdon Town Mayor’s, plus councillors from Chilton, Harwell and VOWH Councils, the armed forces in the shape of 4 Regt and 7 Regt from Dalton Barracks, and a representative from RAF Benson.
A large number of Veterans organisations across Oxfordshire and Berkshire attended, as well as representation from the campus business and other local organisations, which was concluded by Poppies and Crosses laid by Chilton School pupils.
A joint Guard of honour was formed by the Army Cadet Force, Didcot Detachment and the ATC made up of Wantage and Didcot Squadrons. There were 19 Standards on Parade carried by the RBL, Airbourne Association, Cadet Forces, and the Chilton Scouts.
The Service was conducted for the first time by Rev. Jeremy Parsons, and The Last Post was sounded by Richard Selvidge of the Wantage Silver Band.
Poppy Appeal collection buckets and card readers were circulating during the event and raised £382, with thanks to Hazel Benton and Peter Cox for their efforts.
Thanks are also due to Steve Guest of Harwell Campus for the site preparation and management, printing a significant number of service sheets and granting permission and access to hold the event, and to Alan Proctor (and team) for managing the car parking and event security.
Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page – Facebook link
Peter Davies
Harwell RBL Branch Ceremonial Officer
Remembrance Sunday – Remembrance Parade
On Sunday 12th November Harwell Village recognised the annual Remembrance with a Parade along the Village High Street to the War Memorial where a Commemorative Service was held.
In wetter conditions than experienced in recent years, but perhaps more seasonal for November, the Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street and included members of the RBL, Harwell Parish Council and Local representatives from the VOWH DC, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air) Scouts, Guides and this year joined by a number of Harwell Organisations for the first time, including Alma Barn, Arts & Craft Group, Harwell Bowls Club, Harwell Rugby Club, Tennis Club and the WI and also joined by the newly formed Western Valley Parish Council, who are without their own memorial.
The attendance was positive given the wet start to the day, those attending welcoming the Service at the War Memorial being conducted by Rev. Jeremy Parsons for the first time in his new role as Rector at St Matthews. The laying of the wreaths was led by Angus Horner, the Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.
A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service which raised £199.05, thanks go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets.
Following the service held on the High Street, the Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon the arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church.
After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Harwell Parish Chairman and Rev Parsons joined the RBL Branch Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Branch Treasurer and Branch Secretary all attended the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a short moment of reflection was held before a wreath was laid.
Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, Angus Horner, said of the event “As ever, it was an incredibly well attended and executed Parade. The Cadets, Beavers, Scouts et al are a particular credit to themselves and us all (turning out in large numbers in poor weather). I am sure that Generations Past look down with great satisfaction at this robust and consistent act of Remembrance by Harwell’s People.”
Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page, and Branch Treasurer’s Flikr account, linked below:
Harwell RBL Parades Facebook Page / Simon Haycox, flickr.com Album
Armistice Day
A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial on Saturday 11th November at 11:00. About 30 people attended, together with members of Harwell School, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL including the Branch Standard.
The High Street was closed by the Parish Council staff.
Branch Chairman Reginald White conducted the Ceremony and recited the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes and the Two Minutes Silence was observed. The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance.
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The annual D-Day Service held at the Harwell Stone was held on the evening of Saturday 3rd June and was well attended by local dignitaries, veterans, youth groups, representatives of local businesses and local residents.
The event was jointly organised by the Harwell Branch of the Royal British Legion and Duncan Rogers of Harwell Campus with the support of Harwell and Chilton Churches.
The parade’s popularity continues to grow with both new and regular organisations sending representatives. We also welcomed as Guest of Honour the Deputy Lieutenant Angus Horner who led the wreath laying and offered his own words of remembrance at the end of the service.
A total of 38 wreaths were laid, from a broad breadth of organisations: local Mayors from Didcot, Wantage and Abingdon, plus councillors from Chilton, Harwell and VOWH Councils, the armed forces in the shape of 4 Regt and 7 Regt from Dalton Barracks, 11 EOD&S Regt from Vauxhall Barracks and a representative from RAF Benson.
A large number of Veterans organisations across Oxfordshire and Berkshire attended, as well as representation from the campus business and other local organisations.
A Guard of honour was formed by the Wantage and Didcot Squadrons of the Air Training Corps joined by the first attendance of Neville Company of the Army Cadet Force. There were 22 Standards on Parade carried by the RBL, Airborne Association, Cadet Forces, and the Chilton Scouts.
The Service was conducted by Rev. Pam Rolls.The Last Post was sounded by Tony Hughes which was played after a flypast conducted courtesy of Rich Pillans (on the ground) and Paul McNulty (pilot) by a former Army Air Corps Slingsby T67 Firefly.
A collection was made for the Poppy Appeal which totalled £85.30
Thanks are also due to Duncan Rogers of Harwell Campus for the site preparation and management, printing a significant number of service sheets and granting permission and access to hold the event.
Photos of the event can be found via the Branch Facebook page – Harwell RBL Facebook page
The Branch Treasurer’s Flikr Account – Simon Haycox, via Flikr
And also in this Oxford Mail article
The inscription on the stone reads:
“THIS STONE MARKS THE END OF THE RUNWAY FROM WHICH AIRCRAFT OF No. 38 GROUP ROYAL AIR FORCE TOOK OFF ON THE NIGHT OF 5 JUNE 1944 WITH TROOPS OF THE 6th AIRBORNE DIVISION WHO WERE AMONG THE FIRST BRITISH SOLDIERS TO LAND IN NORMANDY ON THE MAIN ASSAULT FOR THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE”
Peter Davies
Harwell RBL Branch Ceremonial Officer
