The annual Kohima Commemoration Service was held on Thursday 1st July 2021 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.
The Memorial service was conducted by the Rt Reverend Jonathan Frost, Dean of York with 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 Address this year was given by Bishop Nigel Stock:
