Sermon for Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2009

During this past year on the 26th April, we have seen the unveiling of the Memorial on the Tilt Green, inscribed with the names of 46 persons who died in the 2nd World War and for whom 46 Cherry Trees were planted following the ending of that War. Some replacement trees have been planted for those which have died, and as the new trees mature, we look forward in future years to seeing those trees in full bloom once again. For those who pass through Cobham, by way of the Tilt, perhaps stopping to take photographs of the Avenue of Trees, there will now be that Memorial Stone which will enable them to also appreciate the significance of this particular ‘Cobham’ feature, as they observe the names inscribed on that stone. And in doing so, perhaps some of those who stop on the Tilt, will have time to pause for a moment and hold in memory and thanksgiving, the names inscribed upon the stone, and others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace, not only in past years, but also in the current conflicts which are taking place today in Iraq and Afghanistan, and offer their own prayers for the Peace of our World.

This year marks the 70 anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War on the 3rd September 1939, and there have been many other specific anniversaries celebrated. Not least the 65th anniversary of the Normandy Landings held in Westminster Abbey recently, and which was seen as an event which marked the turning point in the Second World War.

But another one of those commemorative events was held on the 14th October. And tree number 42 on the North Side of Mizen Way is a poignant reminder of one local casualty of the Second World War for it was also the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the battleship HMS ROYAL OAK in Scapa Flow. The ship was launched on 17th November 1914 as the 7th RN ship to carry this name which commemorates the tree in which King Charles II hid after he had escaped from the Battle of Worcester. The name had first been introduced in 1654. The Royal Oak joined the Grand Fleet before the Battle of Jutland in which she took part. Its first battle honour was dated – Lowestoft 1665 and the last Jutland 1916.

This new ship served continuously in the post 1st WW years and was then deployed with the Home Fleet in September 1939. In that year between January and August – the Home Fleet took part in an Exercise and visits programme, and was based at Rosyth in Scotland. On September 1st the Royal Oak arrived at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. On the 4th it was deployed for patrol and search in the North Sea and Western Approaches and on the 6th October it returned to Scapa Flow and took part in the search for the German battle cruiser GNEISENAU with the Home Fleet. On the 14th of October 1939 the Royal Oak was unexpectedly hit by a torpedo fired from the German submarine U47 whilst at anchor in Scapa Flow, and 18 minutes later by two more torpedoes from the same submarine. The ship rolled over and sank about 30 minutes after the first torpedo hit. 833 of her ships company of 1234 lost their lives in the icy waters. One survivor, one of the 163 boy sailors on board, recalled another lad being in the water with him, they didn’t say much because it was so cold and tiring. After a while the other boy disappeared beneath the waters of Scapa Flow. But for the cancellation of a cruise around Great Britain after two days because of onboard sickness this year, my wife and I would have visited the Orkney Islands and the site of that event to pay our respects.

So what is the significance of the ‘Royal Oak’ to us here in St. Andrew’s this morning on this Remembrance Sunday? It is because that ‘other boy’ could have been a boy aged 17 years, by the name of Desmond Ernest KIRKBY – Boy 1st class, and the son of Ernest and Emily Kirkby of 1, Canada Road, here in Cobham, and in whose memory Tree No. 42 was planted on the Tilt.

As far as I am aware Desmond was the youngest member of our community to die on active service. For whatever reason, Desmond’s name is not included in our 2nd WW Memorial Book. However, I visited the Portsmouth Naval Memorial at Southsea earlier this year, and included on that memorial is his name together with the other ‘Boys’ who also died in that incident, those who had no rank but were part of our fighting forces. On that same naval War Memorial can also be found the names of Signalman Tidy, Able Seaman Clee-Langford and Sub Lieutenant Armstrong, whose names are commemorated on the 1st WW Memorial tablet in the chapel behind me.

This past year has also been marked by the deaths of the last three soldier veterans of the 1st World War, - Harry Patch - 113 on the 25th July, Henry Allingham - 111, and Bill Stone, they were seen together at the Cenotaph last year on Remembrance Sunday.

And this year the RBL invited donations to provide a field of poppies at the Menin Gate in Ypres. A place we have visited on three occasions over recent years, but it was only on the most recent visit last year in October, that we were able to be present for the very moving last post ceremony, as no doubt some of you here present have also had that experience. Earlier in the evening I had found the names of five soldiers from the 1st WW who are commemorated here in our chapel, and whose names are inscribed on the walls of the Menin Gate - one of whom, together with two of his brothers who died in the 1st WW, was the son of a former Vicar of Cobham, Edward Loring. They are also commemorated on a separate wall plaque in our War Memorial Chapel. So that ceremony had a particular poignancy for me.

The navy, the army - and now I come to the air-force which is represented by Flight Sergeant Frank Thomson of Spencer Road. For one of the few remaining original collars hung on the Cherry trees, bears Frank’s name. And before his sister Marjorie died a few years ago she gave me a cutting from The Miami Daily News dated Friday the 11th July 1941. It showed a picture of four trainee pilots – including Frank Thomson, and each trainee pilot was a representative of the four UK nations, who were engaged with 46 others in a rolling programme of becoming qualified pilots. Flight Sergeant Frank Thomson died in June 1943 and is buried in Salerno – Italy.

So as we gather here today let us remember especially perhaps those associated with this community who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.

Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, part of which we have heard this morning said – ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ – he also said ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’ - for it is only when we are at peace with our selves, and others with whom we share this planet, that we can really enjoy all that God provides for us. ‘Seek the Lord while he may be found’ – says the prophet Isaiah – ‘then you will go out in joy and be led back in peace.’

At Harry Patch’s funeral the Dean of Wells Cathedral said – ‘The last voice with direct experience of combat in the trenches has fallen silent … Harry believed that the world could be repaired. His hope remains a poignant and urgent message for our time.’

Harry Patch’s message to the world today was and is – ‘Honour all those who suffer. Be compassionate. Love peace more than fighting.’

Amen

© Revd Peter Vickers November 2009