Garrison pays its respects at eerily quiet monuments
A SERIES of small, official Remembrance Sunday services were held at Aldershot Garrison as the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women was remembered.
The services, which took place at three monuments across the garrison in compliance with government advice to mitigate the risk of Covid19 transmission, were attended by members of Rushmoor Borough Council, the local emergency services, regimental associations and the Royal British Legion.
Events were held at the Cenotaph within Aldershot Garrison Cemetery, the monument at the driveway to The Royal Garrison Church and the South African monument at the top of Gun Hill.
The short services saw a bugler sound The Last Post and play the Reveille, a wreath laying from each of the representatives and a reflection delivered by military chaplains.
Members of the public were asked to stay at home, pay their respects from their doorsteps or download a poppy and display it in windows.
Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Baines said: “Remembrance is one of the most poignant dates in the nation’s calendar, it’s about remembering the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence to this country.”
Lt Col Bains was accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Lieutenant General Sir Mark Mans, and Commander Specialised Infantry Group Brigadier Angus Fair at the Aldershot Military Cemetery.
Chief Inspector John Halfacre, of Hampshire Constabulary, accompanied by Brigadier (retired) Noel Moss from the Royal Signals Association, attended the service at the South African monument; and Cllr Bruce Thomas, the deputy mayor of Rushmoor, Richard Oram, station commander of Rushmoor Fire and Rescue Service, and representatives from the Aldershot Branch Parachute Association and Farnborough Branch Royal British Legion paid their respects at the monument at The Royal Garrison Church.
Padre Price, Chaplain 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards led the service at the church. He said: “While government guidelines and responses to this pandemic have affected the way in which we gather and the public have been asked to remember from home, we have been able to mark not only the history of our nation but also the freedom of the world by laying wreaths and reading prayers at certain areas.
“In doing so we have been able to remember before God those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present, and we take inspiration from the continuing service of those who serve but also of the veteran community who in many ways lead as a gleaming example of how to serve in this current crisis.”
Cllr David Clifford, leader of the borough council, said: “We thank the public for remembering at home but are also grateful for being able to pay our respects on behalf of the community at these unique events.”
Aldershot MP Leo Docherty said: “This Remembrance Sunday, I was privileged to pay tribute to our fallen – laying wreaths in Municipal Gardens and at Aldershot Military Cemetery – on behalf of the residents of Aldershot, Farnborough and Blackwater. Their sacrifice must always be commemorated, and their memory honoured.
“This year’s Act of Remembrance here in Aldershot was different, but no less moving.
“As we approach Armistice Day, as well as remembering our fallen servicemen and women, we also think about those who are currently deployed, and those members of our Armed Forces helping us nationally to overcome the coronavirus.”