CESV had 3 Days, 3 Services, 3 Duties
By Claire Lamb
It was an honour for members of the Civil Emergency Service Volunteers (CESV) to be asked to attend all three remembrance services as part of their duties.
The first was held on Saturday evening at the Old British Cemetery, Girne to remember the sixty two police of three nationalities who fell in the line of duty during the Cyprus troubles between 1955 to 1959. A monument to the British Cyprus police was unveiled and blessed by Reverend Wendy Hough and Reverend Canon David Wilbr
aham. As the sun set over the ceremony the words “At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them” echoed through the stillness.
The second duty was on Sunday morning at the same location to mirror the remembrance service taking place in the UK. The crowds gathered on this bright, sunny morning to pay their respects to those killed serving queen and country. Unfortunately the unexpected heat took its toll on a couple of people who were helped by two of the CESV members – luckily neither were seriously injured. The wreaths laid by ex- service personnel became a reflection of those laid the previous evening. Such beauty portraying the horrors of war.
The third and final duty was on Monday at the service held in Wayne’s Keep Cemetery in the buffer zone. A cemetery where 371 servicemen are buried, killed between 1955 to 1959. Soldiers, sailors and airmen who died during the Cyprus Troubles are buried in this cemetery where the memorial to those who lost their lives was placed in 2009. Many of the young men who died were carrying out their National Service duties and were just at the threshold of adulthood. Our UN guide gave us a potted history of Wayne’s Keep then we all had time to look around the well tended graves, looked after by two Turkish Cypriot gentlemen. The UN Padre, serving at St. Columba’s church on the UNFICYP base, gave a short but moving service. Once again the sound of the bugles echoed through the still, warm air and as the last note died away we all turned our thoughts to those who have lost their lives in the many conflicts and gave thanks for their sacrifice. Once back on the coaches we were taken to St Columba’s church for a most welcome cup of tea or coffee and to view many old photographs on display within the church. A big thank you to our UN hosts for their hospitality.
To see more of the photographs covering the three days of CESV duties please visit our Facebook page at TRNC Civil Emergency Service Volunteers.
