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Sunday 13 November 2011

Remembrance Day

My wife and I went to a service of Remembrance this morning. We chose to go to the service in Dartford because we could not find any definite details about any that were taking place closer to our home.

Just after 10.30am we joined a group of several hundred around the War Memorial in Dartford Park, and we were in time to see the local minister, choir, and various dignitaries process into the park. The service began with the singing of the hymn 'Eternal Father, Strong to save', and was followed by a series of prayers and readings. At 11.00am a maroon was fired to indicate the start of the two-minute silence, and a second maroon was fired to signify its end. A bugler then sounded 'The Last Post', followed by 'Reveille'. The service concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the singing of 'Jerusalem', followed by the first two verses of 'The National Anthem'.


The attendees came from all sorts of different age groups and organisations, and I saw the banner of the local branch of the Burma Star Association as well as those of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Force Association, and the Scouts. The guard of honour was provided by the local Sea Cadets and the music was played by the local Salvation Army Band.

Considering that it is nearly the middle of November the weather was very pleasant. The sun shone, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. It was a very moving service, and I doubt that there was a dry eye anywhere in the park, especially when 'The Last Post' was sounded.

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