Page 24 - QARANC Vol 17 No 1 2019

22 QARANC THE GAZETTE
During this special year of remembrance, commemorating 100 years since the Armistice, Welsh Branch members chose to remember individually rather than as a group. One member, Diana McCrea (nee Craigie), thanks to the generosity of Not Forgotten Association, visited sites on the Western Front.
Cardiff’s Field of Remembrance situated in the grounds of Cardiff Castle was opened with a special Service of Remembrance. Over 6,000 crosses and commemorative markers were planted. The weather held up and it was a proud moment for the first time to see the QARANC Association Welsh Branch represented at this event, with Major (Retd) Rosy Hubbard very smart and ably carrying the Standard.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Caroline Whittaker Branch Chair
the Pontypridd RBL Branch Remembrance Service in St Catherine’s Church. This was followed by a march through the streets to the memorial in the gardens. Marilyn Williams also marched alongside a Chester Branch QA Association member who we met there. It was quite a long march through the town to the gardens, not helped by the fact that the heavens opened with a deluge of heavy rain, just to test my stamina. It was good to have the youngsters joining in; the Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies and other youth groups followed behind, also carrying their own Standards. The streets and gardens were thronged with local people and there was a great sense of community spirit.
Rosemary Hubbard
Standard Bearer, Welsh Branch
203 (Welsh) Field Hospital
The annual Royal British Legion, Wales Festival of Remembrance, took place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on the 3 November 2018. Remembering the fallen continues to be an event marked by military and civic dignitaries, veterans and local families who wish to show their respect and gratitude to all those who have been injured or killed, throughout past conflicts.
As always, this time of the year is poignant. This year in particular, we commemorated the end of the WW1. The performance included the Band of the Royal Welsh, and the Spitfires Choir. The Thornhill Primary school enacted a touching piece relating to memories of the WW1 held in a box by a typical family during that time. The procession of the Standard Bearers, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Cadets and local community groups, took to the stage. 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital was proudly represented by Major Levett, Captain L Davies, Corporal Coonick, with Staff Sergeant Smith and Private Loosemore-Smith on behalf of the RAMC. Silence descended on St David’s Hall, as the poppies fell, each person deep within their own respectful thoughts.
On 4 November 2018, a Festival of Remembrance Concert was held at the Parc and Dare, Treorchy. The Army contingent were represented by 203
ival of Remembrance Concert at Treorchy
203 (Welsh) Field Hospital: members participating in the Remembrance Concert at St David’s Hall
(Welsh) Field Hospital members, Major Levett, Captain L Davies and Private Hine, and Warrant Officer 2 John, RAMC. The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh, along with the Treorchy Male Choir, helped to commemorate the end of WW1. The concert allowed residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf the opportunity to support the Armed Forces community, past and present, both overseas and at home, and to acknowledge the steadfast work of the Royal British Legion. The audience had the privilege to listen to and participate in, hymns, poetry and songs of WW1. Furthermore, Major Levett had the privilege of representing the unit on 9 November by laying a wreath of Commemoration at the BT building, Cardiff. The event had been organised by veteran David Richards, and Phil Richards, BT manager and Chief Constable, Reserves. The occasion gathered personnel to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in the service of their country and to remember the women who paid the ultimate price for freedom, including Edith Cavell, Nellie Spindler, W/Private Ann Hamilton, Major Vanessa Lang and Corporal Sarah Bryant. These ladies are just a few special people. The sound of the
Last Post, played with ultimate grace and clarity by the bugler, resonated off the walls in the hall, culminating in complete silence and tranquillity, touching all those who attended the service.
Finally, 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital, took part in the Remembrance Parade, Cardiff on Sunday 11 November 2018, to mark three momentous occasions. We all not only commemorated Remembrance Day itself, but also united together in honouring Armistice Day and the end of WW1. Wreaths were laid at the Welsh National War Memorial, in the heart of Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff. Standard bearers, Armed Forces, emergency services, cadets and local community groups, along with military and civic dignitaries, veterans and community members, gathered to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in the service of their country. Though the cannon signified the beginning and end of the cherished two-minute silence for this year, we acknowledge that we cannot forget past and present fallen brothers and sisters.
‘We will remember them’.
Major Terri Levett
Fest