Ambulance Services Remembrance
On Saturday 16th September, 2006, a Service and Act of Remembrance was held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire exactly two years to the day following the unveiling of the first and only Memorial to Ambulance Personnel within the UK. Following the success of the day, it was agreed that such an important Remembrance Day should, if at all possible, become a bi-annual event.
A good number gathered for the service which was held once again in the Millennium Chapel of Peace when the reunion was opened by a short word from Mr Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service. Following this, the Reverend David Ditch proceeded to conduct the service which lasted approximately half an hour. During the service Donald Lambert, read the lesson from Luke’s Gospel and Harry Goulding read a poem entitled ‘A Last Goodbye’. Just before Canon Stewart Jones gave his address, the congregation also enjoyed a solo from Cliff Randell when he sang the ‘The Old Rugged Cross’.
Canon Jones praised the dedicated work of all those Ambulance personnel who have and are still serving the communities in which they work and the compassion they show to those in need which became the theme running through his address.
Following the service everyone made their way to the Ambulance Memorial Garden where the Parade Marshall John Dyas read a ‘Roll of Honour’ consisting of all the new names being added to the existing ‘Books of Remembrance’. Mr Richard Diment, Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service Association, then accepted the ‘Books of Remembrance’ pledging to keep them safe in the ASA Head Office buildings where they can be viewed at any time.
Mr Robert Lee, President of the Ambulance Service Institute, then formally unveiled additional plaques included tree plaques representing 1) Retirement Associations, 2) Ambulance Service Institute 3) Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund. Mr Paul Leopold, Chairman of the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund, escorted by two Trustees Mr Vic Holdsworth and Mr Simon Fermor then laid a wreath in memory of all Ambulance staff who are no longer with us. Mr Norman Lakin, Honorary Life President, Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund, called to remembrance all lost colleagues by reciting Laurence Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’,
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
The ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ was then played by Mr James Cornes when in traditional practice the ‘Standards’ were lowered. The ceremony was brought to an emotional finale when Mr John Hodson played a lament on the bagpipes.
The Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund Trustees would like to formally acknowledge the help of:-
All the National Memorial Arboretum staff who helped plan and assisted on the day, especially Mrs Lynne Barkas.
Canon Stewart Jones,
The Reverend David Ditch, St Anne’s Church, Chasetown, Burntwood,
The Organist, Mr Cliff Randell.
The
The Bugler, Mr John Cornes.
The Piper, Mr John Hodson.
and all those who supported the
Memorial Garden Plaque unveiled on 16th Sptember 2006