War  |  Memory  |  Gratitude

Kohima Day Service of Commemoration - 1st July 2021

 

This year’s annual Kohima Commemoration Service was held on Thursday 1st July at 11am at Dean's Park, York Minster.  With great support from the Dean and Chapter of York Minster, and from 2nd Signal Regiment, many months of planning allowed for a beautiful, socially distanced service to take place, and we were delighted that so many of our supporters made the journey to York to be with us.

 

As always, despite the differences this year, it was a marvellous occasion.  We were joined by a number of relatives of those who fought at the battle, and some kindly agreed to take part in the service and gave the readings:

READING: PERICLES’ FUNERAL ORATION READ BY SHOLTO HUNTER
Sholto is the grandson of Major Colin Hunter, a veteran of the battle , 1st Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Remembered with honour.

The reading is an excerpt from an oration given by Pericles, the Athenian statesman, at the funeral of those killed defending Athens in the Peloponnesian War.

POEM: NO TEARS WERE SHED AT KOHIMA READ BY FINLAY BRENNAN
Finlay is the great grandson of Major Philip Pearse of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 28th April 1944. Remembered with honour.
The poem was written by Sergeant John Donne who fought in Kohima with the Lancashire Fusiliers.

READING: ROMANS 8:31-39 READ BY JENNIFER TOPHAM
Jennifer is the granddaughter of Capt John Nicholas Orme ‘Tops’ Topham, 4th Bn Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Killed in action 8th May 1944. Remembered with honour.

KOHIMA EPITAPH: READ BY HANNAH SPEAKE
Hannah is the granddaughter of Capt James Barratt MC 17th Dogra regiment. Remembered with honour.

When you go home,

Tell them of us, and say,

For your tomorrow,

We gave our Today.

 

 

Laurence Binyon’s lines are read by WO1 ( GSM ) Brian Kiernan

They shall grow not 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.

WO1 ( GSM ) Brian Kiernan

 

The Memorial service was conducted by the Rt Reverend Jonathan Frost, Dean of York with The Reverend Canon Victoria Johnson.

The Dean of York the Rt Reverend Jonathan Frost
The Reverend Canon Victoria Johnson

 

The British Army Band Tidworth appeared by kind permission of Maj General Christopher J Ghika CBE, GOC London District. 

 

The British Army Band Tidworth

 

The Address this year was given by Bishop Nigel Stock.

 

 

Veteran Richard Day laid the first wreath.  Sergeant Scott Turnbull laid a wreath in memory of and on behalf of all veterans.  This was followed by The Rt Honourable the Lord Mayor of York, The Reverend Councillor Chris Cullwick,  Mr Stephen White, Chairman The Kohima Educational Trust and Lt Col Jamie Balfour, CO 2nd Signal Regiment and York Garrison Commander.

 

Richard Day veteran lays a wreath
Sgt Turnbull lays a wreath on behalf of all veterans of Battle of Kohima
The Rt Honourable the Lord Mayor of York, The Reverend Councillor Chris Cullwick
Mr Steve White, Chairman, Kohima Educational Trust lays a wreath
Lt Col Jamie Balfour CO of 2nd Signal Regiment lays a wreath at the Kohima Memorial.

 

This annual service is dedicated to the memory of all those who took part in the battle of Kohima. It is also an opportunity to show our gratitude to those Naga people who played a crucial role in the outcome of the battle. The Kohima Educational Trust is dedicated to expressing this gratitude by raising money for the educational advancement of their descendants.

 

 

We are as ever extremely grateful to CO 2nd Signal Regiment and to GSM Brian Kiernan, without whom the day would not be the success it always is. And of course, our thanks to the Dean and Chapter of York, whose support allows us to be in the Minster grounds where the Kohima memorial stone stands.

The beautiful photography on the day was by Duncan Lomax of Ravage Productions.  All the photographs that he took on the day can be viewed and prints can be purchased.  The button below links to his website where there is an option to order prints and pay securely.  Any purchases will benefit the KET - we thank Duncan for his generosity. 

View and purchase Kohima Day photographs

 

Photos featured are copyright © Ravage Productions and may not be reproduced without permission.

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