Cambridge memorial service cancelled

[Antipodean Andy]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news...918e167093.lpf


A MAJOR festival of remembrance to pay tribute to Cambridge's war dead has been cancelled - because there are so few surviving war heroes left.

In the week that a new war memorial was opened by the Queen in Staffordshire to remember those killed in service since the Second World War, a grass roots remembrance event in the city has been scrapped.

For decades the Cambridgeshire Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance event has paid tribute to fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen from the city, who gave their lives for their country.

The servicemen were involved in some of the bitterest and bloodiest campaigns of both world wars, including the war in the air and the first steps towards victory on the beaches of France in the Second World War.

Old soldiers are devastated that the much-loved event at the Guildhall, which was due to take place on November 11, has been reluctantly scrapped by the Cambridgeshire Royal British Legion after more than 30 years.

Few of the veterans of the two campaigns are left alive today, and it is they who step forward to volunteer.

D-day veteran Harry Jolley, 84, who has been a legion member for 61 years, was to volunteer this year.

But he is battling with cancer and like many of his comrades, was too ill to help out.

He said: "It is really very sad. The last couple of years it has been at the Corn Exchange and is always a very emotional event. It is still as important today as it was years ago to remember those who have died in wars so that we can enjoy our freedom."

Harry, who was in the first wave of British troops to land on Sword Beach on D-day, is gravely ill and struggles to speak.

But the old soldier, of Church Close, Little Abington, is determined to be with his old comrades on Remembrance Sunday.

He said: "All being well I will be able to attend an event - but I am not too well at the moment. My dad fought in the First World War and lived to be 108 so I am hoping I can soldier on for a while longer.

"All I can say is that I hope the young people keep this tradition alive when the last of us has passed away. It is so important for the city to remember those who fought and died to make this country free."

Second World War RAF pilot Harry Boal, 83, of 514 squadron based in Waterbeach, flew 30 missions from February to August of 1944 over Nazi- occupied Europe. (I wonder if David knows him, Kyt?)

He was devastated and angered by the loss of the event and urged people to keep the memory of the fallen alive.

He said: "It is absolutely imperative that this should go on and that we remember those who gave their lives for us. In Bomber Command six out of seven of us were killed and the life expectancy was four weeks.

"If you were to tell youngsters todaythat out of their class, 25 of them would be dead in two years that may help them understand the horrors of what we went through.

"I would say to them, don't look at the old man with grey hair, but look at your friends or yourself in those terrible circumstances we had to endure. It really hits at the heart that this event has been cancelled. It is a terrible shame."

The legion's county secretary, David Hollin, said: "It is very disappointing - but we have had to cancel the event due to a lack of volunteers."

He added: "For many years the festival has taken place in the Guildhall and has received excellent support from the people of Cambridgeshire.

"It is a great disappointment that we have been unable to mount this traditional event in 2007."

Last year the event was moved from the Guildhall to the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

More than 70 representatives from the services, voluntary organisations and cadets attended the ceremonies as well as 50 standards of the Royal British Legion and the Standard Bearers' Association.

The standards were inspected by Cambridge's then mayor, Coun Robert Dryden, and the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly.

Among those performing were The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Nepalese dancers, Peterborough Highland Pipes and Drums, and the Hartford Singers. The event was hosted by Carol Carman from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

The Royal British Legion is the national custodian of Remembrance through the Two Minute Silence on November 11.

Mr Hollin said: "Although the 2007 Festival itself has been cancelled, all the usual Remembrance activities and services will be taking place at memorials and churches around the county at 11am on November 11.

"This year's Poppy Appeal is being launched on Friday, October 26 at Serpentine Green, Hampton, Peterborough."

The Royal British Legion City of Ely Branch is also struggling to enlist new members to help out at major events. It has 74 veterans and will be marking Remembrance Sunday with a march and service.

Polly Perkins of the branch said that although numbers are still high, new members are needed.

She said: "Sadly, what is happening is that the legion needs younger members to take the branch forward. Most of our members are over 80 - this is the problem that branches all over the country are seeing."

Ely members will gather outside St Mary's Church at 10am on Remembrance Sunday and march to the Cathedral, for a service at 10.30am. Veterans will then lay wreaths at the memorial in the Market Square.

More than 10.5 million people are eligible to call on the legion for help. It provides financial and material assistance, emotional and social support, counselling and advice.

The legion is calling for volunteers in Cambridge to make sure next year's festival goes ahead.

Mr Hollin said: "Planning for the 2008 Festival has already begun - and this promises to live up to the showcase events of the past. But we do need volunteers to make it happen."

If you can help contact Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire Royal British Legion County Office on (01480) 478522 or email dhollin@britishlegion.org.uk

[Kyt]

It's a very sad fact that the losses are occuring on a daily rather than yearly rate. But for those who are still around, I hope their contributions are celebrated in private if they cannot be done in public.

[Kyt]

Re Boal, it would be good to find out Andy.

Did find this:

24 March 2007

When Harry met Brenda near Waterbeach Barracks, where 514 Squadron was based, he was a gunner on Lancaster bombers.
He still flies at his 83rd year and as a surprise for their anniversary, he took Brenda for a peaceful trip over the Cambridgeshire countryside in a Beagle Pup.

Harry said: "Many couples may play bowls for their anniversary but I thought it would be nice to do something different.

He also said: "I don't think there are many at my age that are still flying but it was a wonderful day."

The couple met in 1943 when Harry and a friend were rushing to The Plough pub in Fen Ditton for a pint. They barged in shoving 2 women out of the way only to find there was no beer available. They looked for the young ladies to apologise after realising their rudeness.

3 years later on March 6, 1947, Brenda became Mrs Boal at St Barnabas Church in Mill Road, Cambridge. Harry said: "They have done calculations since and have worked out the average life expectancy of a crew was 30 days. We did not expect to see 21.

He also said: "So the crews were very superstitious, we didn't make plans.

He stated: "When I met Brenda she gave me hope for the future and changed my attitude to life."

Brenda said the rude attitude of the young airmen shocked her, but when they returned to apologise later she changed her mind. She said: "When we first met I told him the wrong age. I was very young and did not know what love was. He was my hero. When we went up to his home in Derbyshire in his sports car it was very cold and he wrapped me up in his blanket and kept me safe and warm.

http://www.thebestof.co.uk/cambridge/news/35293

[Antipodean Andy]

Kyt, David (Bennett) was still flying ops in Feb 44 and finished his tour in May so odds on he knew him especially since he was a gunner as well. Catching David quickly tomorrow so will ask him.

[Kyt]

Can't find him on the 514 Squadron site, though that doesn't mean much because I haven't been through all the ORBs.

[Antipodean Andy]

I think the ORBs are incomplete too. I just about fell over when I found David's crew on there. He was beside himself when I showed him the print outs. Proceeded to tell me who he knew and who died etc (I think I was recording then!). Over the years he has spent "hundreds of pounds" to get the details of his squadron mates who were lost etc. I think he pretty much collated the entire 514 honour roll himself with details of when/where etc.