Remembrance Day Pelynt 2021
Pelynt Primary School joined forces with the parish church to hold an outdoor service on Remembrance Day with over 40 people gathering at the war memorial.
The school children laid a special wreath with a poignant message, `To those who had died, But their souls shall stand in pride, Even though your buried in soil, You were always loyal. Thank you for everything you have done for us. Thank you for protecting our country. Thank you for sacrificing your life for us. We will never forget your brave efforts to keep us safe from danger.`
After listening to the traditional Last Post and Reveille The Rev reminded everyone of the sacrifices of war recounting stories of his own family.
His great grandfather had known the futility of warfare and had refused to sign up to go to the trenches of World War One. He had three young daughters aged 8,6 and 4. Phyllis, Edith and Marge whom he loved dearly. White feathers were posted through his letter box as a sign of cowardice. So he signed up and within a fortnight of being in France the sad news came back that he had been killed in action. My grandmother Phyllis talked of the pain of that young family and having to go with her mother every Saturday evening to register at the local police station for basic benefit. As it was in those days. The story has a sweeter ending. My great grandmother after the war met Richard Hanks whom I`m named after who became an adored and wonderfully loved stepfather.
My grandad Tom a professional, footballer with Bristol City in the squad for the 1909 Cup Final played then at Stamford Bridge only to lose 1-0 to Man Utd. He had to give up his playing days apart from a few war cup appearances to go to the trenches. He found himself badly gazed but thankfully he came home. He signed for Bristol Rovers in 1909 but his lungs were too badly damaged for any success. Imagine the millions he could have made a 100 years on as a premiership player!
We all have special family memories which this time is for.
When you go home tell them of us and say `For your tomorrow we gave our today.`
We will remember them
Richard Allen Rector of Trelawny