Morning Service Sunday 31st October 2021
Morning Prayer on Sunday 31 October ( the day known as the last day in the Battle of Britain in 1940) had a very interesting addition. Two beautiful old sparkling Eccles miners’ lamps were present near the sanctuary. One was called Tommy and one soon to be named Roger. Tommy brought his light in to the Chapel and later gave light to Roger.
The service was led by the delightful Reverend Diana Couttes, and her theme was light and darkness .
The service was led by the delightful Reverend Diana Couttes, and her theme was light and darkness .
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Members of the Shornecliffe Trust were present with its founder Mr Chris Shaw. Local Councillors Kim Botting (Canadian Airmen Representative and President of the Orpington Royal British Legion), Melanie Stevens and Julian Benington attended as did many members of the Chapel congregation and visitors. |
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Chris Shaw explained the purpose of the Trust which is to educate and remember. Its main focus is the Canadian and British soldiers who left from Shorncliffe in Kent to fight in France and Belgium in World War 1 and whose destiny it was, never to return. A lamp named Maple had been taken from Shorncliffe to Mons in Belgium, brought back alight and then flown to Canada. It symbolised the return of the Canadian soldiers whose destiny was, not to return. A special cradle held the lit lamp in an aircraft seat and one can only wonder about the arrangements for that “passenger”!
The picture shows it being welcomed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Edmonton Canada with Joel Klien and Terry Plant, both Canadians who made the journey with Chris Shaw (in the middle). See : https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/eternal-world-war-1-flame-lands-at-eia The people of Folkestone and Shorncliffe Trust mark Canada Day on 1st July at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, one of the few communities to do so, outside Canada, for over 100 years. 
Reverend Diana blessed and named Roger.
Tommy, by the votive stand, gave light to Roger which represents Light in the Darkest Hour. |
Next to Tommy, the congregation lit votive candles, which created a blaze of light and warmth in the Chapel.
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Affixed to Roger is a RAF button with the King’s crown and an engraved plate saying
ROGER, LIGHT IN THE DARKEST HOUR ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ 31 st October 2021 Dedicated to the RAF personnel resting at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery. “In the Shadow of thy wings I will rejoice”. |
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This quote from Psalm 63 is embroidered on the altar frontal .
In her sermon, Reverend Diana said:
'Today we are sending Roger, the RAF lantern on his way, as a symbol of light in the darkest of hours. I would like to introduce you to a smaller version of Roger, who is now named little Roger!
………… little Roger was given to me last Christmas, when you may well remember we were being governed by an unknown enemy called Covid 19. It changed our lives, cut us off from friends and family and closed our churches for the first time in history, for even during the plague they had remained open.
It was then that this little lantern was used to inspire myself and others, for not unlike Roger, it reminded me that Light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never, can never overcome it'.
'Today we are sending Roger, the RAF lantern on his way, as a symbol of light in the darkest of hours. I would like to introduce you to a smaller version of Roger, who is now named little Roger!
………… little Roger was given to me last Christmas, when you may well remember we were being governed by an unknown enemy called Covid 19. It changed our lives, cut us off from friends and family and closed our churches for the first time in history, for even during the plague they had remained open.
It was then that this little lantern was used to inspire myself and others, for not unlike Roger, it reminded me that Light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never, can never overcome it'.
From Biggin Hill , after the service Roger travelled to Capel Le Ferne and then on to Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, where Royal Air Force personnel are buried.
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Roger shining his light to France at Capel Le Ferne Roger shining his light, at the going down of the sun, amongst airmen comrades at Royal Air Force War Graves Shorncliffe |
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Roger’s light will continue to brighten the darkness,
as we were reminded -
the darkness can never, ever overcome it.
More pictures from the service
Melanie Stevens, Margaret Wilmot, Chris Shaw, Julian Bennington
Reverend Diana and husband Bill with
Little Roger and Lantern Roger |
Mike Botting, Margaret Wilmot, Chris Shaw, Kim Botting
Tommy and candle lights on a very windy and rainy day
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The Commonwealth Graves site at Shorncliffe during the Light in the Darkest Hour Ceremony.
shorncliffe-trust.org.uk/
shorncliffe-trust.org.uk/
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