Harrogate Herald – 18 June 1947
SUNDAY WAS “REMEMBRANCE DAY” FOR OLD CONTEMPTIBLES
Veterans Parade in Harrogate
Old soldiers marched with light, steady step – the band played the 1914-18 war favourite “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” – the mounted police horses were spritely and proudly conscious of leading the parade. And it rained and was very cold.
It was as if time had jumped in Harrogate on Sunday morning and as if a November Armistice Day parade and solemn remembrance service at the War Memorial had caught some people unawares.
But no – it was still June, and the parade and ceremony was that of the Old Contemptibles’ Association of Great Britain, held at the end of its annual Conference in Harrogate.
Heroes of the early part of the beginning of the 1914-18 war, as their medals proved, these men silently paid a private tribute to the memory of friends long dead. And, incidentally, they enjoyed the parade – the discipline, the comradeship and stepping out to the rhythm of the band. The years rolled off their shoulders and they were young again.
They came from all parts of Great Britain for the Conference and this march ceremony. Most strongly represented were the North Eastern districts, many of whose Branch Standards were carried behind the King’s Colours.
The Silence
Marching from Victoria Avenue, with the band of the Harrogate St John Ambulance Brigade, they halted at the War Memorial and watched the Mayor of Harrogate (Ald. H. Hesselwood) and their President (Lt.-Gen. Sir J. R. E. Charles) lay wreaths of poppies.
Then there was silence. After a minute the band played the Last Post, Binyon’s famous poem was read by the General, a prayer was said by the Rev. W. F. Vernon (Vicar of Christ Church), and Reveille was sounded.
Standards were dipped, and hats removed for “God Save the King,” and the parade moved off to Christ Church for a special service.
This simple Memorial ceremony was watched by a few people, but those who saw it were moved by its sincerity and also impressed to see four Harrogate Sea Cadets quietly resting on their reversed arms with bowed heads, standing at each corner of the Memorial.
On their way to the church the men saluted the Mayor, who was standing on a platform in Princes Street. With the Mayor on the dais was his three-year-old grand-daughter, Janet Martin, tightly holding his hand, and General Charles.
In church, the King’s Colour and the Branch Standards were ceremoniously brought down the centre aisle during the singing of the first hymn, and placed in the sanctuary.
Although many civilian worshippers were there too, the Old Contemptibles knew this was their own special service – a time when memories flowed fast.
They heard their parade commander, Lt.-Col. F. H. Peter, D.S.O., M.C., former Officer commanding the 2/5th West Yorkshire Regiment, read the lesson, and listened intently when the Vicar, in his sermon, referred to their deeds of battlefield valour, and recalled old campaigns they had known.
“Not Forgotten”
“After all these years we have not forgotten,” asserted the Vicar.
After the service the parade reformed and the men marched back to Victoria Avenue. Here the band again played “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” and the horses pranced. Then came the command “Dismiss” and the solemnity and thrill of the parade were suddenly gone – until Armistice Day in November at any rate.
Acting as escort to the King’s Colour were Mr J. Bennett, D.C.M., of the Harrogate Branch, and Mr H. Howlett, also a holder of the D.C.M., of Tidworth Branch.
Escort of the Association wreath were Mr F. E. Cutler and Mr C. A. Gill, both of Harrogate.
Sea Cadets who took part were Cadet Petty Officer A. King, who was in charge, A.B. Remmonds, A.B. Retford, O.S. Rawlinson and O.S. Nicholls.
Old Contemptibles' Association Scrap Book 