COMMUNITY: WWII veteran Dennis Clifford Crisp remembered

Dennis

Clifford Crisp passed away last Saturday February 10. His funeral took plac et he next da yattheBritish Ce meter y in Buenos Aires. Ala rgecrowdof fa mil y,friends and acquaintances gathered to say goodbye to this 97-yearold veteran of World War II.

A moving service was conducted by Reverend Agustín Marsal of the Anglican Church, who then invited those who wished to say some words to come forward. First was Major Adam Wise, Deputy Defence Attaché at the British Embassy, who in full uniform expressed what an honour it had been to meet Den- nis and how important it was for the Embassy to express gratitude for his wartime service.

John Hunter spoke of behalf of the Royal British Legion ex BA Branch and the British community in general. He mentioned that Dennis had been Chairman of the Legion as well as an active participant in the Remembrance Day Ser- vices. Asan artilleryman int he Burma campaign nobody was more suited to recite the Kohima Epitaph than Dennis and it is a pity he will not be able to do so for the centenary of Poppy Day this November. John expressed the admiration the community had for such an active participant and thanked all who helped organise such an emotive ceremony, which would surely have pleased Dennis.

Ian Thurn, District Grand Master of the local English Masons, then recalled what an ex amp le Dennis h ad be en toall during his many years active in local Freemasonry. (Dennis was Master of The Belgrano Lodge until his last day).

Finally, Vivianne Crisp, daughter of Dennis, said the last farewell on behalf of the family remembering what a kind father he had been.

The coffin covered with a Union Jack flag and led by bagpiper Alan Oliver was taken to the burial plot where Major Wi ser ecitedt he O de of Remembran ce;thisw as followed bythebagpiperp la yingFlower of the Forest. To conclude, Douglas Moffatt instructed the Scottish Guards to perform a three-volley salute and then two minutes of silence were observed.

A fitting farewell for one of the last Argentine-born volunteers to World War II.