FEPOW Memorial Service 2022
We were delighted to welcome FEPOW friends to a Memorial service free of Pandemic restrictions. Whilst not the numbers of pre-Covid years, the church was comfortably full. Amongst those present were several for whom it was their first visit to our unique Church. Many of our parishioners came to welcome the FEPOW family once more.
This Ecumenical service hosted by both Canon Pat and Fr Denis who were pleased to share the celebration with the FEPOW Chaplain, Rev Pauline Simpson who read the lesson beautifully. Canon Pat’s welcoming words set the tone for the address which was given by Meg Parkes M.Phil., Researcher at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). It was an interesting and insightful reflection on why we continue to remember Far East Captives. Her father was a FEPOW survivor, and as part of LSTMs Oral History project she had also interviewed many FEPOW.
Unfortunately, events and circumstances led to official Military and Embassy Personnel not being represented this year; but there was a great sense of togetherness. Hymns enjoyed the fulsome support of the congregation, which was as heart-warming as their singing of the Responsorial psalm - a style which was less familiar to some of our visitors.
Several years ago, the church was pleased to accept custody of the ABCIFER (former Internee organisation) banner when it closed. The wreath laying started by formally draping their banner over the side-chapel Altar Rail as the first commemorative act. This formed a backdrop against which the rest of the wreaths were laid. Meg Parkes message of involving young people in the Act of Remembrance was taken to heart as two sisters from the parish did this with great dignity as did another of their sisters who laid the Church’s own wreath of Singapore Orchids.
Wreath laying took place in the FEPOW side-chapel, with each wreath being named as it was laid. The last wreath was shaped as an Anchor laid on a dark blue cloth ‘sea’. It represented all Naval personnel and Seafarers. Poppy petals were then sprinkled on the ‘sea’ to represent all those who perished in the ‘Hell ships’ and those with no known grave. The FEPOW Prayer and Kohima Epitaph were delivered by Peter Wiseman and the Act of Commitment was complete with resonant playing of The Last Post and The Rouse by Jeremy Lightowler.
After the service, people were invited to name / place a ‘Poppy Cross’ into a mesh underneath the piece of Burma Rail donated to the church by Birmingham Association of FEPOW. On the opposite wall was another mesh between two Bamboo ‘railtracks’ signifying the two ‘Death Railways’. The national flags of countries whose representatives have laid wreaths here over the last 30 years reminded us that many other Nationalities were also taken captive. This display remains in place until 2nd September when the Armistice was ratified and POWs officially released. The local RBL Poppy appeal organiser gratefully acknowledged that £43 was donated for these Crosses.
To round off the occasion, the Ladies of the Catholic Women’s League, past masters at providing delicious ‘Afternoon Tea’ fare to suit all palates, served Light Refreshments to at least 75 people in the adjacent Parish Hall. What a marvellous team! The wider FEPOW Family took great delight in informally socialising and catching up with folk not seen for some time. Somehow, a sort of normality had returned. Next year, 2023, the date we chose to hold our Memorial service falls on a Sunday and we hope to repeat the occasion at 12:30 on 14th May 2023, the 77th anniversary of the Relief of Rangoon. We hope to fill the church once again and see you all then.
If you missed this poignant occasion you can view the service at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OqAMYbW45ihANQMCUvWNOSorVZH8QPUX/view?ts=629b836c.