Final service as part of Shropshire's Great War Commemoration to take place
A final service as part of a series to commemorate the lives lost in the First World War is to take place in Shrewsbury next week.
Shrewsbury's civic church, St Chad’s has held a weekly service, every week since 27 August 2014, to commemorate the precious lives lost in The Great War (later termed the First World War).
Each week those who made the ultimate sacrifice 100 years ago are remembered; their name is read, and a candle is lit. 26 June, Reserves Day 2019, will be the date for the final service in this series.
Those from Shropshire who died from June 20h 1919 to 1927 will be remembered in the special service which will also mark the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles, the treaty that finally ended the Great War.
Mrs Anna Turner; HM Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire will be attending the service and laying a wreath on behalf of the whole ceremonial county.
After this final service, every one of the 5286 men and women commemorated on Shropshire memorials will have been remembered by name and their sacrifice honoured.
Mother Yejide Peters, vicar of St Chad’s with St Mary’s and St Alkmund’s said:
"St. Chad's has been a part of the fabric of Shropshire for more than a millennium. Moreover, as the first church in the United Kingdom to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, it is our honour and privilege to join with the wider community as we give thanks to God for those brave men and women who lost their lives as military personnel in the First World War. Acknowledging these extraordinary sacrifices, we join with faithful people everywhere and pray for that time when there will be a lasting peace on Earth."
Peter Flint, Churchwarden said: “St Chads has been, is, and will continue to be honoured and proud to be associated with the Armed Forces including in particular the hosting of Services and other events commemorating all those men and women who gave their lives serving our country in the two World Wars and other conflicts around the World.”
Roll of Honour
St Chad’s produced a Roll of Honour for Shropshire and presented it to the county in 2014. Researchers Phil Morris and Neil Evans dedicated 15 years of research to ensure Shropshire has the most accurate and up-to-date memorial to remember all those who lost their lives in the conflict. It is the information from this Roll that has informed the weekly services. Copies of the Roll have been presented to schools and libraries throughout the county and the main Roll of Honour is kept in the Military Chapel at St Chad’s
Shropshire Centenary Poppy Sculpture
This final service will also provide the last chance to see the Shropshire Centenary Poppy Sculpture. This sculpture was a joint venture between St Chad’s Church and the Shropshire Poppy Appeal. They worked with two local artists, Lyn Evans and Nik Burns along with Martin Phillips of Heritage Schools. 81 Primary schools in Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin helped to create a very special sculpture which has toured throughout the county since it was unveiled in June last year.
One Name One Voice
One Name One Voice is a sound installation to commemorate the Shropshire men and women killed during the First World War. ONOV has recorded a unique voice for each name on the Roll of Honour so that every name on the list retains its individuality and becomes more than just a name on a list. This installation will be running in St Chad’s churchyard on 26 June.
