Remembrance Day, Ypres 2025

St George's Memorial Church once again hosted a large congregation for the 9.15am service on 11th November. The Friends of St George's Church Pilgrimage Tour joined the service, once again occupying all the seats at the back of the Church. The congregation had many old friends but plenty of others from Ypres and visitors from the UK. Chris Sims, Churchwarden, organised the VIPs he had invited and got them all seated before the service began!

The Reverend Richard Clement, Chaplain, led the service for the second Remembrance Day welcoming everyone on behalf of St George's Memorial Church. After 'The Gathering' "Oh God, our help in ages past" was sung by all. During the hymn the New Ypres League and the RBL standards were present to the Chaplain.

Group Captain John Dickson, the UK Defence Attaché to Belgium and Luxembourg gave the first reaching, Micah 4, 1-4. This was followed by an except from the Funeral Oration of Pericles for the Athenian Dead read by David Humbertson, Trustee of the Friends of St George's.

The congregation was in good voice for the next hymn, "O Valiant Hearts" that was followed by the Gospel Reading, John 15 12-17, by Chris Sims, Churchwarden of St George's Church.

The sermon was preached by our Chaplain that was well delivered and appreciated by the congregation.

Sir Edward Crofton, Bt, Chairman of the Friends of St George's led the Act of Remembrance that was following by the Last Post, beautifully played by two buglers from the Last Post Association. Following the silence Reveille was sounded. A bugler played a lament and following the Kohima Lieutenant Colonel Alex Fryatt, Lay Reader at St George's Church led the Intercessions.

Our final hymn was sung, "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" and after the Act of Commitment we sang "God Save The King" that was followed by "De Brabaconne" (Belgian National Anthem) that was played on the organ.

The congregation left the Church to take part in the rest of the ceremonies, many joining the Poppy Parade. There was a good number of visitors lining the road to the Menin Gate, many more in evidence than last year.

The first ceremony was at the Belgian War Memorial where wreaths were laid before the march to the Menin Gate. A moving ceremony took place as every year. An excellent choir sang and a Belgian folk group also played. Benoit Mottrie, Chairman of the Last Post Association, led the VIPs to in front of the Cloth Hall where a march pass took place.