Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day 2010
After a rainy week, we were blest with a sunny day on 11th November. From as far afield as Coimbra and Cascais, Zafra and Badajoz and from the Algarve, about 70 Friends gathered in the Cemitério dos Ingleses, Elvas, for the now traditional Poppy Day ceremony, conducted by Paul Wigram.
There were readings by David Ridley-Thomas and Charles Harris. On behalf of the Friends of the British Cemetery, a wreath was laid by Pat Wardle, while flowers were laid by representatives of the Portuguese Army, the Liga de Combatentes and the Elvas Town Hall.
Padre José Maria Francisco, our parish priest and, on this occasion, representing His Grace the Archbishop of Évora, read prayers for the dead, followed by the Rev. Bob Bates of the Algarve Chaplaincy who said a prayer and gave a moving homily.
The bagpipes of Henry Whyte made a haunting background to the solemnity of the occasion, after which refreshments offered in the olive grove provided an opportunity for greeting old Friends and welcoming new.
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11 November 2009
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Silence
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A veteran honours Gen.Hoghton
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Major Balsinhas, LC-BE
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Dra. Elsa Grilo, Albuera Wall
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Northamptonshire Regt wreath
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Remembrance
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Albuera Wall
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Badajoz Wall
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click on photos to enlarge
