Page 115 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

special grant to him, which he continued to receive until his death on 18 May 1927.
Hughes was buried with full military hon- ours in Layton Cemetery in Blackpool, a service which included trumpeters from his old regiment the 13th Hussars and also representation in the form of a group of Officers and ex-soldiers. ‘The streets were lined with large crowds, and at the ceme- tery a great gathering had assembled to pay a last tribute to the heroic veteran....The graveside service, conducted by the Rev. H. C. Parslow, was most impressive, for at the end of an inspiring address, Mr Parslow gave a dramatic recital of Tennyson’s famous poem, “The Charge of The Light Brigade”. A volley was fired over the open grave, and then the poignant notes of the “Last Post” followed by the stir- ring “Reveille” was sounded.’ (Blackpool Gazette, 29th May, 1927)
A memorial plaque was unveiled in trib- ute to his memory on his former home in Mount Street, Wrexham in October 1993.
Edwin Hughes’s funereal May 1927
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
The security gates were to open at 0830hrs which would allow us to enter Horse Guards Parade.
This year they opened a little early thankfully as looking around me the lines of veterans stretched already back through Admiralty Arch and spilled out into Trafalgar Square. Having negotiated security and walked on to Horse Guards Parade knowing we were the lead col- umn this year so were over by the arch leading to Whitehall, I looked for the Regimental Sign Board.
The boards are placed by the marshals to get everyone into the correct locations for the March past. Now was the time to spot regimental ties and get the team in place, we were to leave the parade ground at 1000hrs so this was also catch up time with a lot of updating to be carried out with individuals not seen from one year to the next from our team and others.
At 1000hrs our column leads off and forms up on Whitehall we still have an hour to go before the service and longer before we set off to march past so the interaction with other teams and the crowd continues. As Big Ben Strikes 1100hrs and the field gun fires on the parade ground 10,000 veteran’s and the crowds go silent and remember why they are there. As the 2 min silence takes hold individual’s remember those who have given their lives for our country as well as those friends who have just run out of
Cenotaph 2022
time. It is the moment to remember the after Dinner Toast of Mr Vice “To absent friends”.
After watching the King lay his wreath and taking part in the service it is now time for the veterans to march past. The Kings Royal Hussars are formed up in front of us with a team of between 50/60 veterans, as they step off we give them 6 paces start and then we set off. The Cenotaph is on us quickly this year because of our position, so as the Regimental Wreath is handed over its an eyes left and then an eyes front and we continue down Whitehall as the crowds cheer, clap and wave. We are now approaching Horse Guards Parade again where we will disperse but before we get on to the parade ground we pass another
saluting dais, Prince Edward is taking the salute this year so its an eyes right and then front followed by a right wheel. Now we are back at the start point and it is dis- persal time with farewells the order of the day and promises to meet up at the same time and place next year.
We have represented the Regiment at the Cenotaph for 3 years now (a year off because of COVID) but we have yet to fill our full quota. The Regiment has 12 places and can obtain more if required, this year we were down to 9 marchers. If you wish to join us in Nov 2023 HHQ have requested 25 tickets so there will be plenty of availability.
A Smart Parade
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