FROME residents came together to pay their respects to those who have died or been injured in the world wars and other conflicts, as the sun shone at the town’s annual Remembrance service on Sunday 13th November.
Jane Norris, the Remembrance coordinator for Frome branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), said “Remembrance Sunday in Frome shone bright, thankfully, for the crowds who attended the annual act of observance and reflection. For it is not the glorification of war that the event takes place; rather it is the opportunity to pay respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; for those still affected by conflict, and for the families and friends left behind, either in real time or virtually.
“So, the crowds still come. The Silver Bugles Band Somerset ACF (The Rifles) broke the silence from a distance, getting louder as the parade arrived at the memorial outside the Memorial Theatre. Contingents of serving armed forces, veterans, Writhlington CCF, emergency services and the youth from the guides and scouts and schools all took their positions under the parade marshalling of Lt Barry Eggleton CFAV Writhlington School CCF.
“Rev Colin Alsbury led the service with an introduction that this year in particular, we were reflecting on the faithful service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; we were also commemorating the 80th anniversary of the adoption of HMSM Thunderbolt by Frome following the fundraising of Warships Week in 1942, and also, we were commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, with several veterans attending to lay the South Atlantic wreath.
“The Exhortation was read before Nicki Warden from Frome Town Band bugled the Last Post. Two minutes of silence. Humphrey Barnes BEM, Trustee of the Frome Memorial Theatre Trust then read the Kohima epitaph. Never were more poignant words read than: ‘When you go home; tell them of us, and say, that for your tomorrow, we gave our today’.
“Wreath laying was led by the RBL, then Sara Butler, mayor of Frome, and included a wreath laid by our Ukrainian community and for animals caught up in war or conflict. A touch this year was a pipped lament “Sleep, Dearie Sleep” played at HM Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, before the Town Cryer pronounced ‘God Bless the Queen: God Save the King’.”
A rousing town band accompanied national anthem concluded the formal service, when then the public were welcomed to come forward with their own marks of remembrance. Jane added, “There must be a story behind every poppy worn, every wreath, cross or symbol laid. It was not the numbers attending, rather why they were there, and that for many the reason would be too personal to tell.”
Cllr Sara Butler, Mayor of Frome, who attended to lay the wreath on behalf of the town said, “I was pleased to see so many gather on such a sunny morning to remember the past. I found the service both profound and moving and I was honoured to lay the wreath on behalf of the council and town. Having lost both my grandfathers at a young age, I never got the opportunity to hear their stories from the war, so I think it’s important that we remember and honour those that have been lost and learn from this.
“I was especially moved by the attendance of many Ukrainian families and Iryna Ladyzhenska, Frome Town Council’s new social facilitator for the Frome Support Hub for refugees, laid a wreath on their behalf. It’s a sad reminder that war is still happening around the world, and we must do our best to persevere in our efforts for peace.”
