Drumhead service 19 September 2023
Service of commemoration 80 years after the original Chapel was dedicated on 19th September 1943.
The intention was to hold the Drumhead Service outside but the weather was not suitable and it took place in the Chapel, lead by Reverend Alison Newman. The Mayor Of Bromley Mike Botting and the Mayoress Kim Botting were present. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Reverend (Major) Andrew White who was the Bugler at the Battle of Britain Day Service. The Union Flag and the Banner of 2427 Squadron ( Biggin Hill) ATC were laid on the Drum altar. The standard of The Merchant Navy Prince of Wales Sea Training School Veterans Association was on presented and displayed in the Sanctuary. It was very pleasing to see that some cadets from 2427 had chosen to attend the service.
Paul Grant and the Second Remembrance Book 
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Cadets lining up before the service
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A second Remembrance Book, gifted by The Friends of St George's Chapel (FSGC) was presented by Chairman for dedication. Since the Reredos was installed in 1951 with the names of aircrew who died flying from the Biggin Hilll Sector in WWll, more names have come to light, which had they been known at the time, would have been added to the Reredos. In the heat and destruction of war it is understandable that records were not always kept up to date . As names, are discovered, and verified, they will be added to this book which will be on display in the Chapel.
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After the service many of the congregation together wih the Mayor and the Mayoress enjoyed a superb meal with champagne for toasts in the Nightingale Café. The café and tables were decorated with lights which gave a very cosy atmosphere. Chef Dominic and his wife Nikki, Jack and Louie managed the event so well. It is amazing how such a splendidly and well presented meal was produced in the extrememly small café kitchen!
Photos curtesy of Jane Oliver unless annotated otherwise
Stephen Carr Chairman of Museum Trust, Rev David Jeffrey, Mrs Jeffrey, The Mayor and Mayoress.
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A vote of thanks being given to Dominic and his willing assistants, Jack, Louis and Nikki. Foreground Wendy Hill, Sylvia Hyatt |
Battle of Britain Sunday 17 September 2023
A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving took place in a full Chapel lead by Reverend Alison Newman. The Mayor and Mayoress and many veterans were present, including three over 100 years old. Bugler Vicky Mace sounded the Last Post and Reveille and Eric Johnstone our organist played a medley of 1940 songs on the piano,which was much enjoyed and a gentle acompaniment of singing could be heard with loud clapping at the finish, normally unheard of, in a service! Three flags were paraded - RAF Regiment Association, Merchant Navy Prince of Wales Sea Training School Veterans Association and 2427 Sqn ( Biggin Hill ) ATC. A contingent of cadets attended. Afterwards, outside, the 2427 Sqn Cadets marched off to the beat of their drums.
A superb lunch was available in the cafe for forty diners with veterans eager to share their experiences.
A superb lunch was available in the cafe for forty diners with veterans eager to share their experiences.
Mayor Mike Botting and Mayoress Kim Botting
Eric Johnstone organist and pianist
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Veteran Paul Lusher with two unusual medals on his right chest,
as a result of meeting King Charles (as the Prince of Wales) and the King of Jordan |
Standard Bearer Mike Westhead
Standard Bearers Neil Athron, Mike Westhead
Sqn LdrJohn Hext, Jean, ? Gloria Turner
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Harry Winters 101
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Peter Lemon 102
Ann Galley 100
Sdn Ldr John Hext |
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COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Service by the Spitfire on Battle of Britain Day 15 September 2023
Sir Winston Churchill said in 1940 " The Battle of France is over and the Battle of Britain is about to begin .... Upon it depends our own British life, ..." He said after the war, during the appeal to raise funds to build St George's Chapel "for as a nation we have short memories". How prophetic were those words! Was the day mentioned on radio or TV?
On Battle of Britain Day, a service was lead by Reverend Alison Newman during which the names of the 105 Aircrew who died flying in the Biggin Hill Sector during the battle were read out. Seven wreaths of blue handmade wreaths with crocheted
For-get-me not flowers were laid by the Spitfire , one for fifteen aircrew names. Bugler Reverend ( Major) Andrew White, under the Spitfire, sounded the Last post and Reveille. At the end the Chapel Bell was tolled 105 times, once for each aircrew name.
Two minute silence
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All photographs above are curtesy of Jane Oliver
The Last Post DE
