Millennium Project
Rob Forsyth
Although Covid-19 restrictions had eased since VE75 Day, it was still not
possible to organise gatherings of more than 30 people outside. In these circumstances the RBL Branch Standard could not
be paraded nor a formal event organised that might breach the guide
lines. Instead, the Branch President, Major David Hood MC, the Branch Chairman, Cdr Rob Forsyth RN and Branch Chaplain Rev'd Annie Goldthorp agreed to meet at the War Memorial and observe the silence together. In the event our Bugler, Lewis Wallington (Deddington Brass) and Piper Richard Jasper (Laidlaw memorial Pipes & Drums) also wished to be present and so a simple ceremony was held in company with 25-30 members of the public at safe social distances.
The ceremony at the War Memorial started at 10.50 am when the Piper played The Battle's O'er standing among the Commonwealth War Graves. He is just visible through the trees. Our thoughts were for Driver Henry Sorrell, 18th Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals, who was one of 1159 slave labour POWs drowned when the unmarked ship on which they were being transported to Japan, the MV Rakuyo Maru, was torpedoed and sunk by a US subamrine on 12 September 1944. He was 33. He is remembered on the Singapore Memorial which bears the names of over 24,000 casualties of the Commonwealth land and air forces who have no known grave The terrible cirumstances surrounding the sinking of the Rakuyo Mayu can be read HERE Click on the image to view the video (courtesy of Alan Collins) 
As the Church Clock struck 11.00 The Last Post was sounded followed by a Lament on the pipes and then the Two Minute Silence was observed along with the rest of the Nation. After Revielle , the President spoke the Kohima Epitaph and Vicar Annie said Prayers for Peace and Remembrance. The Piper then marched to the Market up the new church pathway. Click on the image to view the 6 minute video of this ceremony(courtesy of Alan Collins)
 | Piper Richard Jasper playing beside the RBL Branch Flagpole alongside 'Archie' our WWI soldier named after Pte Archie Gomm of the Ox & Bucks. Click on the image to view the video (courtesy of Rob Forsyth) |
Useful Links
VE Day memories of those who were there