By Margaret Sheard …
St Andrew’s Church had a full congregation for the dedication of the British Cyprus Memorial Book on Friday 9th November 2018.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Michael Graham, who entered the Church accompanied by Mick Bone with the RBL, Kyrenia Branch Standard. The service commenced with an introduction, shown below.
“ We meet together today in the presence of God for the Dedication of a Book of Remembrance prepared and presented by the Royal British Legion, Kyrenia Branch, to honour and remember those who gave their lives in the cause of peace and freedom here on this island of Cyprus in years past.
As we remember those who made the supreme sacrifice, we in our time commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.
We pray for all who, in bereavement, disability and pain, continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.
We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away. ”
There were 2 readings, prayers and hymns. Keith Lloyd, the newly elected Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Kyrenia Branch, gave a short speech about the history of Cyprus and the reason for the Memorial Book which was being dedicated today.
The Book of Remembrance was carried to the chancel by Keith Lloyd. The Kohima Epitaph was said, followed by the Last Post, a Two-Minute Silence and the Reveille and the Book of Remembrance was then dedicated.
I was pleased to see some of the Cyprus veterans, who have travelled from the UK for the annual Remembrance Service on Sunday, 11th November, and had arrived in time to be able to join the congregation for the Dedication of the British Cyprus Memorial Book and I am sure they found it a very emotional and fitting tribute to the 30 British servicemen whose names are not shown on the Memorial Tablets in the Old British Cemetery in Kyrenia. Now all of the 402 who lost their lives during the Cyprus Emergency are listed together in the Memorial Book, which will be housed at St Andrew’s Church.
Hi Margaret,Hope all is well with you and Chris.It is so nice to see that people are still remembering the boys who lost their life while serving for the Queen in Cyprus.I went to vist my old army mate who we served our time in Cyprus yesterday and he said he was interested in coming out next year for Remembrance Day next year for 5 days which I said I was interested in going too.Ithink I told Theresa passed away,it will be 2years this coming February,oh! how I miss her we had such a good life together.I had the prize off the top shelf when I married her.Could do with a bit of your weather at the moment it’s cold and raining.Take care both of you.
Kind Regards
Brian
Hi Brian, Thank you for your comment, and hope you will be able to come for the Remembrance service next year. It will be nice to meet up again.