There was a different order of service when parishioners turned up for the 8 a.m. worship at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Sunday, November 11, 2018.
The difference from the regular service was that it marked “Remembrance Day”, the 100th Anniversary of the armistice that led to the end of World War 1 on November 11, 1918. The war began on July 28, 1914. Anguilla joined a number of regional and international countries in observing the armistice.
In the absence of a cenotaph, contingents from the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the paramilitary Cadet Corps, Immigration and Prison Departments and the Police/Community Band, paraded from Police Headquarters to the Church for the Anniversary Service. They were welcomed by the Rt. Rev. L. Errol Brooks who presided over the service.
The official party in attendance included His Excellency Governor Tim Foy, OBE, his wife, Dr. Dina Foy, the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, Mrs. Kim Cutler, Deputy Head of the Governor’s Office, and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison.
In his introductory remarks, Bishop Brooks told the congregation: “Today, Sunday, November 11, Remembrance Day 2018, marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War. It was on November 11, 1918, that the armistice that ended the fighting on land, sea and air in World War 1 – between the Allies and Germany – was signed. Remembrance Day is a memorial observed in member states of the Commonwealth to recognize the soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars. On this day, Heads of State, Leaders of Government, other Dignitaries, the Police and Military Forces assemble at memorial cenotaphs to salute [those who died] and offer prayers.
“We do not have a cenotaph in Anguilla – maybe this is a project to consider for such an occasion. I am pleased to welcome Your Excellency, Governor Tim Foy, his dear wife, Mrs. Dina Foy; the Hon. Chief Minister, Victor Banks; other members of the House of Assembly and Government; the Commissioner and other ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force; members of the Cadet Corps; the Community Band and invited guests.”
The Bishop went on: “I checked the list of those who died in the First and Second World Wars from St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla. I spotted a name – James L. E. R. Lake – and I have concluded that he must have been an Anguillian; and then I am told that the late Mr. Peter Carter, of The Forest, also served in the Second World War. We must never forget those who died for the freedom which we now enjoy. So how about the sale and distribution of poppies?
“I am pleased to see that the Police, the Cadet Corps, the Commissioner of Police, the Chief Minister, Mrs. Foy and His Excellency have joined me in wearing a poppy today. Those of us, who grew up many years ago, would recall that while at school we used to wear poppies. We need to reactivate that so that our young people would know about the great sacrifice which others paid to ensure the freedom that we now enjoy.”
Following the hymn “O God our Help in Ages Past”, and a minute of silence as a mark of respect to the fallen soldiers, Governor Foy spoke in some detail about the horrors and deaths caused by the World Wars and the need for the observance.
At the end of the service there was a march past, of the uniformed bodies, in front of the Church during which the salute was taken by Governor Foy.
