Page 139 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) 137
the road past the throngs of onlookers the Belgium police nod- ded to us, also believing we belonged.
Our nominated group of nine laid three wreaths that evening. One each for the 5L, 16L and 16/5L The Queen’s Royal Lancers. The whole ceremony took over 45 minutes with military bands including bagpipes and a choir. A very moving experience that was watched by thousands both within the Menin Gate and spill- ing out into the town. Being excellent recce soldiers, all our group established themselves in good viewing positions within the Gate. Our group of nine wreath layers proudly marched across the road within the Gate laying their wreaths in remembrance of our Regi- ments. As the last post was sounded thousands of red poppy leaves fluttered down from the ceiling of the great hall. Once again his- tory was coming to life in front of our eyes.
On Sunday 11th November we left our hotel early that morning to collect the Ellison Family on route to Saint-Symphorien mili- tary cemetery. At the cemetery, a few feet separate the headstones of Private John Parr and Private George Ellison, the first and the last British soldiers to fall in the Great War. We had decided to have our own private ceremony at George Ellison’s grave with the four generations of his family at 0940, the time he was shot exactly 100 years to the minute. This proved to be a very moving experience. The family laid a beautiful prepared bouquet of flow- ers, we laid our 5L wreath and a short history of the battle was read out as well as the appropriate dedication with a two minutes silence. Once again, the cloak of history of our regiment and na- tion was wrapped around our group, a very moving experience.
Later, we drove back into Mons joining the gathering crowds walking into the Great Square. We had planned to hold a memo- rial ceremony at the 5L memorial at the entrance to the Mons Town Hall. This was to be done at midday in Mons which was 1100 in the UK and our fellow lancers in England would be do- ing likewise in Whitehall. We formed up into a hollow square at 1150 blocking the road but showing to all we were not moving. A short introduction was read out, then a poem, then a 5L poppy wreath was laid followed by a two minutes silence. The Irish blessing was spoken, then the chief piper from the Canadian Division marched forward and played a beautiful Irish lament. Once again, we experienced a very moving ceremony and I’m sure it was not the wind that made a few eyes wet.
Later that afternoon the contingent formed up and prepared to march onto the Grand Square and past the saluting officer, Gen- eral Sir James Everard KCB, CBE, DSACEUR at NATO, a for- mer 17/21L and commanding officer of The Queen’s Royal Lanc- ers. The parade of various units was long and as expected stopped and started as we approached the main square. Behind our group was 21 SAS, the Artists Rifles. As a point of interest in their front rank was David Davis the ex-Brexit Secretary. 21 SAS had a very shouty man who continually stood them at ease and brought them to attention. One of our number did get a little irritated and very loudly asked our contingent. “It would be awfully nice if you would come to attention, thank you so much !” Copying that famous Sergeant from Dad’s Army. This appeared to lessen the shouty stuff a little. We entered the main square marching in three ranks. My drill instructor from back in the day would have been proud of us. All in step, arms swinging and with perfect dressing. The military band playing a grand military march. As we neared the saluting base everything came to a grinding halt, unfortunately those organising had not done the simple check of
Private Ellison’s grave in Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery Mons
how many could the main square hold. So, we fell out and shuf- fled past the saluting base nodding to the general.
The display went on as it got dark lasting for around 90 minutes. It was very well organised and interesting, setting out what went on here 100 years ago. Luckily, we had been allocated a seating area to view the ceremony. The evening concluded with a wonderful laser light show projected onto the wall of the Town Hall showing what went on in Mons from August 1914 to November 1918. A brilliantly produced show enjoyed by thousands of people in the main square.
The next morning, we returned back to the UK a very contented group of bold lancers. I am sure the weekend of 9th November to the 12th November will be remembered by all who attended. We had experienced something that will last in our memories for evermore. We had also touched and felt our regiments history, stood were their boots had stood, looked where their eyes had looked. Perhaps had felt the ghosts of our regiment joining us on those battlefields, marching with us into Mons. Those who attended the Mons Memorial Weekend were: Bill Cook, Ralph Ritchie, Howard Crosse, Denzil Skinner, Richard Payne, Steve Shambler, Alan Pritchard, Roy De-Ste-Croix, Tim Rogers, John Squires, Jolyon Coombs, Keith Benbow, Jonathan Hale, Jim and Karen Kerr, Tony and Rosemary Clatworthy, Steve and Kathryn Gidley, Tommy and Pauline Docherty, Dave and Susan Ruston, Melvin and Valerie Bourne, Colwyn and Julie George, Samuel Roberts, Mark Roberts, Tony Cheetham, Trevor Fenn, Dave Ireland, Paul Cutting, Tony Willmore, Tom Foley, Pete Manser, John Connolly, Nick Wills, Peter Bullen, Robin Stow, Chris Ren- wick, Nigel Maus, Shayne Myers, Terry Middlemas, Tony Ellis, Nicholas Byrne, David and Camilla Eadie, Julian and Sally Snell.
AGC