‘In challenging times we must must keep beacon of hope burning’

EVERY year, and with every anniversary, there are fewer veterans... fewer witnesses to the horror of the Second World War.

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Fewer heroes whose bravery saved the world from unspeakable evil.

It’s humbling to hear so many of them speak, with tears in their eyes, not of their own victories, achievements and valour, but of the mates and buddies who never made it back. Often, they fought and died together.

The privates and pilots, sailors and mechanics, cooks and signals staff.

These are the men and women who stood together and brought back the spoils from the most horrific conflict the world has ever seen.

So we gathered this month, at Stoke Minster and on the hills of Parkhall, not to celebrate war, but to give thanks to those still living, and remember those no longer among us for their huge contribution, either giving up to six years of their lives to the war effort, or giving their lives... the ultimate sacrifice.