Veterans recall years of service
Former and current soldiers gather after ceremony
VETERANS and current serving armed forces personnel gathered at the Newbury branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) following Sunday’s Remembrance service.
Friends and families convened at a special lunch to recall old memories, make new ones and remember those who gave their lives in service of our country.
Pete Smith, an 84-year-old from Talbot Close in Newbury, is the last of 12 siblings.
All seven brothers, including Mr Smith, served in the armed forces.
He laid a wreath at the Newbury War Memorial for the Normandy Veterans’ Association (NVA) because his brother Gordon, who was in the Royal Engineers, was one of the men who landed at Sword Beach on D-Day.
Mr Smith placed a card alongside the wreath that bore the names of all six of his brothers, who have now all died.
He said: “At one time, we had four of us brothers marching in the parade, and now I’ve lost them all.
“I’m the last one left. When I march up there, in my head, I’m marching for them.”
For Chris Green, this year was his last as Newbury RBL chairman, as he is stepping down after 15 years in the post.
The 87-year-old of Valley Road said: “It’s been very good. I am standing down as chairman so this will be the last time I do it, but it’s been very good.
“It’s nice to see so many young soldiers here.”
He served in Germany, and in Cyprus from 1956 to 1957.
Fr Michael Fava arrived in Newbury in January when he became the new parish priest for St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
The 60-year-old left the armed forces two years ago after serving as an army chaplain for 24-and-a-half years.
He served in Germany, Bosnia, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and in various posts across England, including two-and-a-half years at Sandhurst.
Fr Michael said: “It [Remembrance] brings back so many memories.
“It brings back some very sad and traumatic memories of people I’ve known who were killed.
“And it brings back memories of dealing with a lot of bereaved families.
“It’s hugely important. It’s not just about remembering, but thanksgiving as well.
“We take for granted freedom and liberties that are hard won.
“Most of the time we take these things for granted, and it is only when someone threatens to take those things away that you wake up and think ‘I need to do something about preserving this and hanging on to it’.”
Robin Hicks, an 85-yearold who lives in the St John’s Almshouses, served in the RAF in Hong Kong from 1955 to 1957.
He flew in a plane almost every day and he “enjoyed it immensely”.
Mr Hicks has always lived in Newbury and he was surprised when he got posted to Hong Kong.
He said: “I’d never been further than Snelsmore Common. I’d never been away from home.”
Speaking of those who have died, he said: “They need to be remembered.
“Lots of my relations and one or two people I know were killed during the war.”
Mr Hicks meets up with other members of the Royal Artillery Association on Remembrance Sunday every year so for him it is a happy occasion as well as a solemn one.
We take for granted freedom and liberties that are hard won