By Dame Commander Dr Sylvie Edwards DCStG
Every November the United Kingdom pauses to remember the men and women of Britain and the Commonwealth who have died in war or conflict since the First World War. What began in 1919 as Armistice Day, marking the end of that terrible conflict, evolved after 1945 into Remembrance Sunday, embracing all who have served and fallen in every subsequent war, from Korea and the Falklands to Afghanistan and Iraq. The focal point is always the second Sunday in November, chosen so that the widest possible number of people can take part in this deeply moving national tradition of honour, reflection and hope for peace.
For several members of the Order of St George, this has always been one of the busiest and most meaningful weekends of the year.
Friday – A Quiet Start with the Honourable Artillery Company
On Friday 7 November I joined Chevalier Mark Wright KStG and Officer Garry Timmins OStG at the Honourable Artillery Company’s Service of Remembrance in the beautiful churchyard of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, the HAC’s regimental chapel. The Padre laid a wreath at the Memorial Cross before we moved inside for the service itself. HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, the Royal Honorary Colonel of the HAC, read the Lesson (Revelation 21: 1–7) with his customary grace. Afterwards, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Longbottom MBE QVRM VR and I were privileged to join His Royal Highness for lunch at Armoury House; a gentle and reflective beginning to what would prove a packed weekend.
Saturday – Eight Hundred Years of Tradition (and One Historic First)
Saturday brought the spectacle of the Lord Mayor’s Show, a City tradition stretching back more than 800 years. Plague, the Great Fire, riots and even a thunderous editorial in The Times declaring the event doomed have all failed to stop it. This year, however, history was made for the first time in its long story, the Show became the ‘Lady Mayor’s Show’, led by the new Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley DBE (seen here).
Having set up base camp for the weekend at the HAC with a selection of uniforms and accoutrements which would give any uniform storeman envy, my own role this year was a supporting one alongside Lt Col Johnny Longbottom, who served as Military Marshal responsible for the Lady Mayor’s state coach (seen here alongside the coach). I kept an eye on uniforms, ensured he was fed and watered at the halfway point at the Royal Courts of Justice, and generally tried to keep a watchful eye in a parade more than three miles long involving 7,000 participants.
Chevalier Mark Wright took his place with the HAC’s wonderful Pikemen and Musketeers, resplendent in 17th-century dress and carrying pikes and muskets exactly as their predecessors did in the 1640s. Their ancient duty remains unchanged; to form the warranted ceremonial bodyguard to the Lord (or now Lady) Mayor.
Meanwhile Officer Jeff Hill was proudly on parade with the Light Cavalry, along with the mounted ceremonial unit of the Light Cavalry, tasked with escorting the Lady Mayoress’s coach who provide guards of honour throughout the year. Dressed in traditional cavalry uniform, Jeff and his colleagues looked every inch the part. At the halfway point at the Royal Courts, Jeff could be found along with Alice, his good lady, supplying mince pies and mulled wine to those with a strong will but weary feet, preparing them for the march back through the City of London to Armoury House at the HAC.
Sunday – Remembrance Itself
Sunday dawned crisp and solemn. I attended the moving service at St Paul’s Cathedral with the HAC, in the presence of the newly installed Lady Mayor, before dashing to Mansion House in time to watch the wreath-laying at the Royal Exchange. Once again Chevalier Mark Wright was on parade with the Pikemen and Musketeers, and Lt Col Johnny Longbottom, having barely recovered from the previous day, performed the role of Wreath Commander for the Lady Mayor. Uniform checks fell to me again!
From the balcony of Mansion House, I watched the march-past: veterans, serving soldiers, the Pikemen and musketeers and several other units all saluted by the Commanding Officer of the HAC, along with other senior military officers, including Johnny. Officer Jeff Hill again proudly marched with the veterans (ably kept in line by the unmistakable voice of Officer Garry Timmins OStG), while the crowds lining the route cheered with genuine warmth in thanks for their service. Afterwards, everyone convened to Mansion House for a well-earned drink and an excellent curry; a moment for old comrades to swap stories, laugh, and quietly remember those who were lost and could no longer stand with us.
Further Afield
Beyond the Square Mile, Chevalier Bill Rowlinson KStG looked magnificent in the scarlet coat of a Chelsea Pensioner as he paraded at the Cenotaph with the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, later meeting fellow Afghanistan veterans.
In Gloucestershire (“God’s own county”, as the locals insist), Chevalier Rupert Granville KStG joined a packed and proud service at Stonehouse war memorial.
And in Guildford, Surrey, Chevalier Keith Homewood GCStG KMStG, along with members of the Order’s South East Commandery continued their now well-established tradition of representing the Order on Remembrance Sunday. Veterans of all three Services, wearing medals and, by kind permission of the Borough, their Order regalia, took part in the service at Holy Trinity Church before processing to the castle grounds for wreath-laying.
Guildford’s military heritage runs deep, from the Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment to the modern Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) with which the Order is affiliated. Afterwards the Commandery joined the Mayor and civic dignitaries for a reception in the glorious 16th-century Guildhall, a fitting end to a day of solemn pride.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of November – Armistice
Officer Simon Qureshi OStG, as a Waterman, was humbled to be part of the wreath laying on the Thames to remember all those lost, and the solemn and emotional service held on the river outside the Palace of Westminster.
From the quiet churchyard on Friday to the thunder of drums on Saturday and the two minutes of silence on Sunday 10th and Monday 11th November, it was a weekend that combined reflection, pageantry and raw emotion in a way that only Remembrance can. We remembered the fallen, celebrated continuity, and, in the company of friends old and new, felt extraordinarily privileged to have played our small part.
Lest we forget.
