Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch

Committee

2023 D-Day Commemoration Service Saturday 3rd June

by Filed Under: D-Day

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

 

 

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Armistice Day 2022

by Filed Under: Remembrance-Sunday

On Sunday 13th 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.

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, local organisations, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air) Scouts and Guides.

The village population was well represented with the public filling the pavements and surrounding space, with estimates around 1000 attending in total.  The Service at the War Memorial was conducted by Rev. Rob Thomas, Mr John MacFarlane-Horgan played the Bagpipes which accompanied the Parades arrival at the Memorial and the laying of the wreaths with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.

Thanks are due to Allan Macarthur and Phil Johnston for organising the sound system and to Mike and Anita Pepper for distributing the service sheets to the congregation

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service and raised £171.83, and thanks should go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets.

The event was honoured by the attendance of the King’s representative, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Angus Horner, who lead the laying of the Wreaths, and was followed by VOWH DC, Harwell Parish Council, Royal British Legion Harwell Branch, The Harwellian Club, Didcot Detachment Army Cadets, 2410 (Didcot) Sqn Air Cadets, Harwell Scouts the Milbrook Girl Guides.

Following the service, Angus Horner offered some poignant words on Remembrance and the local connection to WWII with the village’s proximity to the former RAF Harwell airfield which played its part in the war effort. After which 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. Rev Pam Rolls joined by Rev Jan Radford took the service

After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Harwell Parish Chairman and Parish Council representative joined the  RBL Branch Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary by attending the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a wreath was laid.

Further photos of the event can be found via the following links

Harwell RBL Parades Facebook Page

Simon Haycox, flickr.com Album

Bob Girling, smugmug.com Album

Armistice Day

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial. About 40 people attended, together with members of Harwell School Council, the Head Teacher and the School Business Manager, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL.

The High Street was closed by the Parish Council grounds 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

 

Any questions regarding either event can be directed to the Branch Ceremonial Officer, Peter Davies using harwell.committee1@rbl.community

 

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II dies

by Filed Under: News

It is with deepest sorrow that the Royal British Legion marks the death of our Sovereign and Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has served as Patron of the Royal British Legion since 6 February 1952. We are immensely thankful for Her Majesty’s faithful service, and we join the entire Armed Forces community in mourning the loss of its Commander-in-Chief. The Queen’s unwavering dedication to the British Armed Forces will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences are with the Royal Family at this time. Rbl.org.uk

 

2022 D-Day Commemoration Service 4th June

by Filed Under: D-Day

The annual D-Day Service held at the Harwell Stone returned on Saturday 4th June after a three year gap from its full format as a result of the pandemic. There was a virtual event in 2020, and live streamed minimal attendee event in 2021 so while Acts of Remembrance did continue throughout the pandemic, all were pleased to see a return to the full format permitting attendance in person.

Despite the clash with HM Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend the event was well attended, by local dignitaries, veterans and youth groups and local residents.

[Read more…] about 2022 D-Day Commemoration Service 4th June

Jubilee Poppy Walk 8th May 2022

by Filed Under: Poppy-walk

Returning to its full format, the annual Poppy Walk returns in 2022 with a Jubilee theme to be held on Sunday 8th May.

Walkers can register from 9am (latest 11am) with the intention that all walkers are completed by 1300, where a BBQ lunch will be calling walkers past the finish line from 1200, along side other lunchtime entertainment

 

Sponsorship forms are available here 2022 Jubilee Poppy Walk Sponsorship form