Sunday 8 May

The service was given added poignancy by the speeches which were made by Gerry Manolas the Chair, and the Czech and Slovak Ambassadors, their Excellencies Marie Chatardova and Robert Ondrejcsak, which all referenced the 80th anniversary of Operation Anthropoid and the current war in  .

We were delighted to be joined by military representatives from the American, Australian , French  , Hungarian  and New Zeland  Embassies. As we all acknowledged, it is through friendship, shared values, and respect for each other, that strong alliances are made. Events like ours help foster and promote the things we have in common, something our veterans would all have supported.

After the last post which was played by Ruth Moore, wreaths were also laid by the Mayor of Woking Cllr Lyons, Andy Murray of CWGC, Mr. Angelo Munsel the Superintendent of American Battle Monuments Commission, Wokingham and Woodley Royal Airforce Association, Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain Leamington Spa, and the students and staff of the Czech and Slovak Schools laid roses.

Our parade was led by Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps, who were turned out in their smart uniforms and did a perfect job. We are delighted that they have become an integral part of our remembrance service and look forward to seeing them in October as well. Thank you to their officers who helped organise them on the day and all those who paraded the standards.

Once we had paid our respects at the Military plot we moved through to the civilian section where we laid wreaths and paid our respects to those buried there. Peter Nicholas took the Wokingham and Woodley RAFA standard and led a group of FCCC cadets to the Liberator headstone where wooden crosses were placed on their grave and that of Marina Pauliny.

An added highlight was the work which the students from the Czech and Slovak Schools presented. This was organised by Jana Nahodilova and her superb team. They had obviously learned so much from the first two sessions we had supported, and we will share it in more detail in future posts. If you would like to share your family story with them I know they would be delighted to work with you. Just let us know.

Finally, thanks go to the team at the Trench Experience that helped us provide a lovely setting in which to catch up and have refreshments, provided by the Czech and Slovak Embassies and the MAFCSV.