More than 400 children from Combe Down Primary School were among those who attended a poignant service at the war memorial at Firs Field in Combe Down on Monday to mark Armistice Day.
The service at Firs Field in Bath
Also in attendance were pupils from St Gregory’s Catholic College who serve as cadets.
The Remembrance parade service was organised by Vince Dunne, chairman of the Bath branch of the Grenadier Guards Association and the western area co-ordinator for the Regimental Headquarters of the Grenadier Guards.
Mr Dunne explained that in previous years the annual event had been organised by the Bath United Services Association (BUSA) who sadly have had to cease doing so due to the branch no longer being able to operate.
He said: “My branch was asked to take up the planning, organising and implementing the parade to ensure its continuity.
“We were delighted to be able to take on the leadership of the parade, in particular as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day Landing.”
The branch got in touch with Combe Down Primary and it was agreed that the whole school would attend and play a part in the service, making their own poppy of remembrance to lay at the monument, and singing a song of Remembrance.
Combe Down Primary School’s youngest pupil Olivia, aged four, and the oldest, 11-year-old Anna
Also taking part in Monday’s service was the Rev Shawn Swinney, vicar of Holy Trinity at Combe Down, and Father Bill, parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Combe Down.
The parade marshal was Jerry Levine. Representatives of the 243 (Wessex) Multi-Role Medical Regiment in Keynsham, the Veterans Breakfast Club Bath, and members of the Bath branch of the Grenadier Guards were also in attendance.
The Last Post and Reveille were performed by 12-year-old Penny Hutchings, a pupil at King Edward’s School.
Among those laying wreaths were the Deputy Mayor of Bath Councillor Ruth Malloy and the vice chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council Councillor Liz Hardman.
After the formalities, the schoolchildren had the chance to talk to the organisers and those taking part including Captain George Harrill from the Keynsham regiment who was dressed in a First World War Royal Army Medical Corps uniform.
These were the British soldiers who went into battle without any weapons, carrying just a stretcher and a first aid kit. More than 4,000 of them were killed and some 6,000 gallantry medals were awarded to medical troops.
Captain Harrill’s great-grandfather was one such medic who was decorated with the Military Medal for his bravery during the First World War.
Captain Harrill lectures on both world wars to military units, schools and youth groups.
