MADAM, Throughout the past 31 years the residents in the vicinity of the Old Gore War Memorial have graciously supported No 31 Squadron RAF Association at their Remembrance Ceremony on Remembrance Sunday, at the Memorial.
Three times a year we have held mini reunions at How Caple Grange, lasting three or four days where a group of about 40 veterans of the Burma and Far East campaigns, during the second world war, relived the horrors of the three or four years they served out there.
Veterans from Australia, New Zealand and Canada paid yearly visits with wives and families to the beautiful and picturesque Wye Valley district. Many tales were retold and many pints of various brews were quaffed along with numerous draughts of Much Marcle Herefordshire Cider.
Our first venture at Old Gore resulted in meeting a solitary gentleman, Mr Beech Thomas who thanked us for joining him in his silent tribute. The second year saw an increase in the number of local residents along with our now 40 plus Gold Stars. We then decided to relay the ceremony in the Cenotaph by radio to the Old Gore Memorial, followed by the laying of wreaths and named crosses of former comrades. As the years progressed numbers of both parties increased by leaps and bounds.
We discovered a local Padre who had served as a Padre to 31 Squadron in Germany during the Cold War. We then included a Field Church Remembrance service to our ever growing itinerary. Also a get together was introduced with an invitation to How Caple Grange which was extended to all and sundry where a hot and cold buffet with drinks of hot toddy was most generously provided by Mr Don Trott and family, the hosts at the Grange.
This newspaper printed an article re the storm damage to the Memorial and the fact that 31 Squadron would be present that November. I took it on myself to make the Memorial more presentable for the occasion and carried out a rough and ready repair with a six foot wooden cross mounted upon a metal sleeve that covered the ungainly looking stump and plinth. This served its purpose and transformed the Memorial until the War Graves Commission carried out a more suitable refurbishment and repair.
On behalf of 31 Squadron Association Members I would like to express our sincere thanks to all those residents who most ably supported our Thanksgiving and Remembrance Service over the past years. Unfortunately the Burma and Far East Second World War servers have suffered severe losses of late and although a Wreath will be laid at Old Gore this coming November on behalf of 31 Squadron, I am afraid there will be no service as in the past.
H C Welham, Halesowen