Middlewinch benefice Remembrance Day service in West Winch

The annual Middlewinch benefice Remembrance Day service took place at St Mary’s parish church in West Winch on Sunday.

Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies and Beavers were in attendance, led by Colin and Cathrine Tegerdine along with the Middleton and District branch of the Royal British Legion.

Legion Parade Marshal was David Skerritt, and the service was led by Rev Canon Riaz Mubarak, ably assisted by members of his ministry team.

Rachel Mycock was the organist and Legion Standard Bearer was Simon Ward, carrying on in the footsteps of his grandfather Philip Ward, a highly respected member of the West Winch community who sadly died recently.

Philip took part in the WW2 D-Day landings and served with the Parachute regiment. He was considered a hero of West Winch and received the Legion ‘de Honour from the French Government in recognition of his part in the liberation of France.

Both the Legion members and the Youth Organisations played an active role in the service. Wendy Galley read the lesson from St John’s gospel, names of the fallen were read by Ray Smith- Middleton, Ken Matthews (North Runcton) and Florence Bush (West Winch and Setchey).

The last Post and Reville were sounded and Cllr Alan Johnson recited the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph.

Following the service, wreaths were laid at the war memorial by representatives of Middleton, North Runcton and West Winch and Setchey parish councils; Middleton St Mary’s parish church, North Runcton All Saints’ parish church and St Mary’s parish church, West Winch.

Other wreaths were also laid representing the Middleton and District branch of the Royal British Legion, Royal Anglican Regiment, the Royal Airforce, Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies and Beavers.