Remembrance Reflection

 

By Rev. Phil Burrows

 

Many of you will know that I served in the Regular Army before offering for ordination as a vicar in the Church of England.  20 years later that led me to join the Army as a chaplain – no experience in life is ever wasted!  As a result, Remembrance Sunday holds particular significance for me. I would love you to join us for our 10.00am Holy Communion Service on 10^th November, or at least for the Act of Remembrance on Gatley Green, gathering at 10.45am.

 

 

In 2017 I had the privilege of conducting a re-dedication and a re-burial in Ypres, known as ‘Wipers’ to the Tommies fighting in the First World War.  Such was the scale of loss in the fighting and so horrendous were the conditions of mud and swamp as a result of continuous shelling, that human remains are still surfacing from the land over 100 years later!

 

I was impressed by the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  One of the bodies was an unknown soldier who, after 7 years of research and forensics, had been identified.  The Commission traced relatives, and they were present at the graveside as I conducted the service.  As we returned to the transport, still in my ‘vicars’ kit, a Belgian pulled over on his motorbike to thank me. “What you do is so respectful, honouring those who paid the price to keep our country free” he said – “we do nothing like this for our own people!”

 

Why do we go to such lengths?  Well because people matter.  The Bible teaches that we are all, every human being, made in the image and likeness of God. That’s what sets us apart from the animal kingdom, it’s what makes us human.  It’s also why we should treat people with dignity and respect – there’s no place for racism or misogyny or hatred based on class, colour or creed.  People matter and when great sacrifice is made, we should never forget.

 

Siegfried Sassoon, a poet from WW1, became a pacifist because of the horrors he witnessed.  He was condemned at the time for being unpatriotic.  Nothing could be further from the truth, as he fought in the trenches and was decorated for his bravery.  His poem, ‘Aftermath’ reminds us of the horror of war and asks that we never forget.

 

“Have you forgotten yet?...

For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days,

Like traffic checked a while at the crossing of city ways:

And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow

Like clouds in the lit heavens of life; and you're a man reprieved to go,

Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.

But the past is just the same—and War's a bloody game...

Have you forgotten yet?...

Look down and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget.

 

 

 

We will remember them.