Page 15 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

Captain L Watson QARANC, Major D Jenkins QARANC, Private Joint Services Group 507 ready to step-off Needham AGC (SPS) attending the black-tie dinner in Lourdes
sense of humour and the ability to remain flexible at all times!
On the day after our arrival, we attended the launch of the 60th Annual IMP with the official opening ceremony. There was representation from all six continents and many of the larger contingents travelled with their own military band. These bands could often be found over the course of the weekend, striking up around the streets in Lourdes. Whether it was in a park or outside a café, the bands, with their vast array of uniforms and headdress, drew in the crowds as they entertained the thousands of visitors whose journey to Lourdes had coincided with our own.
During the weekend of the IMP, Group 507 attended various events in Lourdes. Notably, we accompanied our pilgrims to the Beating Retreat in the grounds of the hotel where the British personnel were staying. Following the playing of the British National Anthem, The Band of the Parachute Regiment was joined by the Pipes and Drums of the Irish Defence Forces and they played the Irish National Anthem in unison. Such an event would have been unthinkable 20 or 30 years ago but it captured the spirit of the IMP, in the presence of the British and Irish VIPs who took the salute.
A huge moment of pride was felt by many at the closing ceremony. Our pilgrims proudly wore their berets, with medals on their blazers and paraded alongside the serving members of Group 507 who wore service dress. Our group were given a position of particular eminence, forming up behind The Parachute Regiment Band. As our pilgrims marched or were pushed along, they were followed immediately
behind by the 300 or so marching personnel from the British contingent. Lucia was grateful to be wearing her issued flat, brown shoes, particularly as we all endured the last leg of the route, up the very steep hill to the Upper Basilica for the closing Mass.
For many of us and for various reasons, the IMP was a very moving few days. Seeing so many countries getting to engage with one another in a peaceful, safe environment was truly unique. From a personal level, it was a great privilege to be part of that experience and it was tremendously rewarding to observe how much our pilgrims took away from the experience.
Following the closure of the IMP on the Sunday evening, the remainder of the week was slightly less high tempo, enabling our pilgrims to enjoy trips out to see the local area. It was arranged for us to visit the convent where St Bernadette lived in her early years, the Grotto where the apparitions took place, to experience the immersion baths and visit the ‘City of the Poor’. There were trips out further afield, into the Pyrenees, where our pilgrims visited local markets and enjoyed a picnic by a lake. The helpers and pilgrims were kept busy in the evening as well, with quiz nights, games, theme nights, a black-tie dinner and the grand finale – a highly entertaining talent show!
Our week with the Joint Services Group 507 was a tremendous experience. As helpers, we were all made to feel as though we belonged to the group but the focus is the pilgrims and the main effort is to ensure that they have the best experience possible. At times it was exhausting and emotional but overall, it was enormously rewarding to know that you have contributed to making the week a
positive experience for someone.
We would like to thank the QARANC Association for their generous financial grants that served to offset our expenses. We are also grateful to our respective chains of command at DPHC and 4 Armd Med Regt who afforded us
the time to undertake this task.
Captain L Watson and Major D Jenkins
Volunteer Helpers Required: The Hosanna House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT)
Founded in 1956, The Hosanna House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT) has been helping disabled or disadvantaged children travel to Lourdes each year in Easter and Summer. 2018 was the 10th year for the Armed Forces Region who take children with a service connection to Lourdes at Easter. The adult group travel in May, to coincide with the IMP. A charity whose roots are in the Catholic Faith, it is open to everyone with or without faith. Their motto, ‘Some Faith or None’, reflects their openness to all.
They need volunteers to accompany the children on the Easter Pilgrimage. Some QARANC personnel have undertaken this previously and found the experience to be very rewarding.
For further information, please feel free to contact the following:
lucia.Watson469@mod.gov.uk david.jenkins913@mod.gov.uk Details for the IMP and HCPT can be
found here:
2018 DIN01-023 – 60th International
Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes (IMP) will be replaced in 2019.
Tel HCPT – 01788 564 646 https://www.hcpt.org.uk/ https://www.hcpt.org.uk/group/507
THE GAZETTE QARANC 13