Village church is packed for historic ceremony attended by Royal British Legion members from across the region
St Giles’ Church, Kilmington, was packed for the dedication of a new Royal British Legion Standard for the village branch.
A generous anonymous donor has funded the new Standard, replacing the old one, commissioned in 1936.
To start the ceremony, RBL chairman Roger Lovegrove, committed the old Standard to the branch Chaplain Pastor Darrell Holmes, “for safe keeping in St Giles’ Church for evermore.”
St Giles’ Church, Kilmington, was packed for the dedication of a new Royal British Legion Standard for the village branch.
A generous anonymous donor has funded the new Standard, replacing the old one, commissioned in 1936.
To start the ceremony, RBL chairman Roger Lovegrove, committed the old Standard to the branch chaplain Pastor Darrell Holmes, “for safe keeping in St Giles’ Church for evermore.”
After prayers, hymns and a reading, the branch chaplain dedicated the new Standard on behalf of everyone present “that it may be a sign of our duty towards our Queen and Country in the sight of God and a symbol of the service that the Royal British Legion is called upon to render.”
Pastor Holmes gave a very thought provoking and appropriate address, emphasising the important work of the Legion in supporting the armed forces personnel, their dependents and veterans. He pointed out that the new Standard was a symbol of comradeship, a fundamental essence of Service life, also very evident in the RBL. Following the hymn “Now thank we all our God”, the Last Post was played by Devon County Bugler Derek Payne, Chairman of the Seaton Branch, for the two Minutes Silence during which the new Standard, borne by Alan Brown from the Axminster Branch was lowered as its first duty. RBL County Chairman, Ralph Howard-Williams led the Exhortation prior to the sounding of the Reveille. After the final hymn “All people that on earth do dwell”, the new Standard was paraded out of Church, accompanied by those of nine other Branch Standards that had been paraded there in support.
At a reception in the village hall afterwards, Roger Lovegrove thanked everyone who had helped organise the event, and introduced Dr David Ingles, a branch member, who had researched and written a book entitled ”Kilmington at War 1914-18” to mark the centenary of the start of WWI in August 1914.
It tells the story of the men of Kilmington (and one woman) who served in the Great War, many of whom gave their lives in the service of their country. David gave some interesting insights into the stories told and announced that the book was available from Hurfords Stores, the Old Inn, the New Inn, Millers Farm Shop, the Archway Book Shop and from the branch chairman in return for a donation (part of which would go to the Poppy Appeal).
The branch chairman commended the book, thanking David for all the time and effort that he had expended in compiling it and also expressing his appreciation to Julian Shaw for the photographs produced so expertly and to Bob Farley for some of the illustrations.
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