Post by Les on Aug 3, 2007 15:05:07 GMT
Just to let those who might be interested know that there will be a fairly simple ceremony of wreath laying at the grave of Noel Chavasse, double VC winner and medical officer of the Liverpool Scottish, 1/10th (Scottish) Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery west of Ypres/Ieper (just off the main roads between Ieper and Poperinghe. It is scheduled for 1100hrs on Saturday 4th August 2007, the 90th anniversary of his death. I anticipate that it should last half an hour.
Noel Chavasse was mortally wounded during the very opening days of the Third Battle of Ypres with the Liverpool Scottish, part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, just east of Wieltje. He received his second VC posthumously for his work in this action.
There will be should be some seven members of his family present and a representative party from the RAMC as well as members of the local community and other interested friends. I am on the way to arranging buglers (courtesy of the LPA and Jacky) and possibly a piper. There is likely to be a very simple wreathlaying at the memorial in Brandhoek Churchyard at 1030 followed by the 1100 hours event in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery. As many of the Chavasse family were/are clergy (his father was Bishop of Liverpool and his twin brother became Bishop of Rochester) there will be naturally be an element of prayer and reflection in this ceremony as well as a brief tribute to Noel Chavasse.
Although Brandhoek New Military Cemetery is not designed to take a cast of thousands, this is not a private ceremony and is open to anyone with a genuine interest to join us and simply be present or to lay their own tribute. There can't be a 'ban' on larger parties, should any wish to be there, but this certainly doesn't set out to be a spectacle and we are constrained by the cemetery itself. Hopefully I will remember to bring some small crosses of remembrance. It might be helpful to park cars away from the the small lane leading to the cemetery.
Noel Chavasse was mortally wounded during the very opening days of the Third Battle of Ypres with the Liverpool Scottish, part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, just east of Wieltje. He received his second VC posthumously for his work in this action.
There will be should be some seven members of his family present and a representative party from the RAMC as well as members of the local community and other interested friends. I am on the way to arranging buglers (courtesy of the LPA and Jacky) and possibly a piper. There is likely to be a very simple wreathlaying at the memorial in Brandhoek Churchyard at 1030 followed by the 1100 hours event in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery. As many of the Chavasse family were/are clergy (his father was Bishop of Liverpool and his twin brother became Bishop of Rochester) there will be naturally be an element of prayer and reflection in this ceremony as well as a brief tribute to Noel Chavasse.
Although Brandhoek New Military Cemetery is not designed to take a cast of thousands, this is not a private ceremony and is open to anyone with a genuine interest to join us and simply be present or to lay their own tribute. There can't be a 'ban' on larger parties, should any wish to be there, but this certainly doesn't set out to be a spectacle and we are constrained by the cemetery itself. Hopefully I will remember to bring some small crosses of remembrance. It might be helpful to park cars away from the the small lane leading to the cemetery.
