Arlesey Remembers
with crosses at the Menin Gate
Images: Chris Gravett www.chrisgravett.com
The Arlesey Remembers You project is getting to a stage where all
crosses will be placed on their respective graves of the soldiers from
Arlesey who were killed in the first world war. With graves in different
parts of the world it has been quite a task but the project has gone from
strength to strength. Duncan Wang whose idea started the project sent
this report from the cross laying in Ypres.
“On the 8th of September, the 3 crosses were placed to
commemorate the Arlesey soldiers named on the Menin Gate memorial.
The crosses were placed by Kerry Hazelwood, Richard Waterhouse
and Duncan Wang. We were in good company because Commander
in Chief of the Army Sir Peter Wall and Major General James Cowan,
Commander 3rd (UK) Division were present along with an Officer in
Training group. Naturally they had a military band who played the
national anthems of the United Kingdom and France. Major Cowan
placed a wreath commemorating those lost from the 3rd (UK) Division,
two other groups and ourselves. It was noticeable that looking at the
wreaths placed, ours were the only ones to commemorate individuals.
Kerry said “she was very proud” to have been asked to place a cross
on behalf of Arlesey. Duncan found that during the time waiting for the
ceremony to start and the minutes silence very sobering in realising the
true meaning of commemorating those lost during World War 1. Richard
acknowledged the pointlessness of the loss of so many lives.
The whole ceremony lasted but 20 minutes and was watched by
close to a thousand people including 17 from Arlesey. It was truly a day
to remember.
The ceremony was filmed and photographed by Jodie Chillery and
Chris Gravett so we have a permanent record of the event and will
feature in the TV documentary being prepared by the project.”
A screening of the documentary
will take place on 22nd November at
Arlesey Village Hall. Tickets are
pre-booked only and are very limited.
For further information on the
project contact Jodie via email :
[email protected]
or go to the website:
http://arleseyremembersyou.org.uk
Water flowing under the bridge at the Mill Pits
2 |
8
Looking north at the Mill Pits
September 2014 | to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
October 2014 | to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to thethe website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
Medieval bridge by Glebe Meadow