Remembrance 2006
Look at the ground where the children play
Where the song birds sing
And the cattle graze

Look at the mud and the skeleton trees
With the smell of death
On the morning breeze

Listen to the church bells on the hill
Where a soft wind blows
And the peace is still

   
Listen for the crump of the enemy shells
And the snipers bullets
And the dying's yells

Look for the mark where the trench used to be
Where the wild flowers grow
And the birds fly free

This is the place where I must be
And so must my friends
The enemy


Remembering the Human Cost of War
My own personal view
Everyone has his or her own take on the meaning of remembrance, and indeed, that's the way it should be. Even though we have seen War in many places through recent years, - most, including yours truly - still associate remembrance day with the two World Wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45.  Armistice day and Remembrance Sunday are to me, two days that never fail to envoke a whole range of emotions. The main four being Sorrow, Pride, Revulsion and Total Disbelief.   Sorrow, Pride and Revulsion are self explanitary, Total disbelief? well, that for me, will be forever embedded within the 1914-18 war. In overall control of so many young lives, was a man who, amongst other things, stated that the machine Gun was an over-rated tool.  Arguably this same man killed as many of his own men as Stalin and Hitler put together. His answer to the machine gun appears to have been to throw men at it and hope that a few would get through - and disable it   That's just one of many reasons why I experience total disbelief  when I view the stark incomprehensible images from old newsreels and official War Department archive film.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          (KT)

East Garston 2006
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November the 11th in East Garston dawned brightly. The wintery sun cast its yellowy-orange glow over the 65 or so people whom had gathered for this, the third service of remembrance at the War Memorial, conducted by the Reverend Tony Cumberlidge. Each year the number of people in attendance has risen, proving yet again that this particular service, missing from the calendar for so many years - is a much needed, highly respected element of East Garston village life.

This years service was preceeded by a 20 minute ring of muffled bells from members of East Garston's band of Church bellringers.
(Library Photo)

 
Friendly greetings and quiet conversation as we wait for service commencment. This year as well as the muffled bells, we          were fortunate to have accomplished Musician, Gemma Fowkes here to sound "Last Post" and "Reveille".


The Remembrance Service
At 10-45am prescisely, Reverend Cumberlidge began the service of remembrance for 2006
There were three wreaths laid this year. One from The Royal British Legion, One from the Parish Council on behalf of the parishioners of East Garston, and for the first time, a wreath from All Saints' Church.
Gemma Fowkes
Personal Remembrance
Terry Butler, former Sgt. PWRR
Laurence Binyon’s Lines were given by Col (Ret’d) Marcus Coombs, late Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
The Kohima Epitaph was given by former Sgt.Terry Butler who served with the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment.
Gemma Fowkes of The Royal Academy of Music, sounded "Last Post" and "Reveille".
All Saints' Church
The Royal British Legion
The Parish Council
Please click any of these three images to read all the inscriptions
At the well attended service on Sunday in All Saints Church, Dawn Tonge very fittingly called The Roll of Honour, as her Uncle,
David Pounds was among the fallen in the 2nd World War. Dawn then placed a wreath upon the tablet bearing the names.
Dawn after reading the Roll of Honour
This stunning display was created by Joan Jefferys
David Kibblewhite Pounds

During the service, Revd. Cumberlidge reminded the congregation that Remembrance is not just about the young men and women who gave their lives courageously and never returned, but also about those who did return with the scars of war that have remained with them for the rest of their lives

Text Sally Wright and Ken Tarbox : Photos Ken Tarbox
David Pounds photograph repaired & remastered by Ken Tarbox
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