Military Commemoration and Dedication
Saint Pauls Church at Low Moor, Clitheroe was the assembly point for a joint service of Royal Engineers and Royal Navy Veterans on Sunday the 30th of November.
The service to dedicate a new Royal Engineers Standard and dedicate and install a Royal Navy one, was conducted by the Rev Catherine Hale-Highway, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Mrs Amanda Parker, Colonel David Waters Royal Engineers (Rtd) and Veterans of both Royal Engineers and Royal Navy.
The Royal Engineers were installing a New Standard in the small Chapel for the R.E. which is in a corner of the church, and also in this little chapel is a stained Glass Memorial window to Naval Officer Lieutenant Commander Richard Garnett. He was killed in 1939 on the ill-fated Submarine HMS Thetis along with 98 other men. Lt Commander Garnetts parents who had a long connection not only to the church, but also with the Royal Engineers from their wartime support, put in place the stained glass window in memory of their son in the Engineers Chapel within the Church, so the two services were now combined, the Armed Forces Support Group (AFSG) supplied a new Royal Navy ensign to be also placed in the Chapel. The AFSG team were also supported by local Deputy Lord Lt Mrs Christiana Buchanan.
AFSG Standard Bearer David Holden with the Royal Navy Standard joined the 6 other standard bearers of the various R.E. branches in a moving service.
An address was given by AFSG Chairman Michael Sutcliff Representing the Royal Navy, and a further one by Colonel David Waters RE (Rtd) for the Royal Engineers.
Servicemen attended from across the County and one special guest was Mr Ken Benbow WW2 Navy veteran aged 101 and two other 100 years old Veterans plus local dignitaries.
A well planned and moving service completed a very special day.
Photo shows the Lord Lt with some of those who attended.