Service held to remember the fallen of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment

A service was held to remember the fallen of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment last week.

The annual service took place last Sunday (October 4) at 3pm in St Mary's Church in Warwick.

The socially distanced service was conducted by Rev Canon Keith Punshon, Honorary Regimental Chaplain for Warwickshire.

The choir also sang during the service.

In addition to senior Regimental officers, those attending included; the grandson of Field Marshal Montgomery, Henry, 3rd Viscount Montgomery, Timothy Cox; HM Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Joe Greenwell, High Sheriff for Warwickshire, Simon Miesegaes: High Sheriff 2019-20, and Cllr Terry Morris, the Mayor of Warwick.

This year, the service also included the blessing and laying of wreaths in the Regimental Chapel.

This replaced a service which was organised Simon Miesegaes and was to be held in St Mary’s Churchand at The National Memorial Arboretum in late March but fell victim to Covid-19.

Wreaths were laid in memory of:

~ Field Marshals Montgomery and Slim, who were commissioned into The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

~ The seven Fusiliers who lost their lives in action in Afghanistan in 2009 four of whom came from Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth.

~ Trooper James Munday, Household Cavalry who lived in Coleshill and other members of The Household Division who fell in Afghanistan.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel John Rice, who helped to organise the service said: “Against the background of Covid, we are so pleased to be able to hold our annual service this year and to see so many representatives of the County of Warwickshire with us in St Mary’s”.

Cllr Terry Morris, the Mayor of Warwick, said: "I was honoured to attend the annual remembrance service of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment at St Mary's Church on Sunday.

"The service, conducted by Rev Canon Keith Punshon, was very poignant - not only was it the opportunity to honour some of Warwickshire's fallen, it also gave the opportunity to reflect on how we are all adapting to respond to coronavirus.

"This was the firstst "live" church event I've had the opportunity to attend since lockdown came into effect in March and it was wonderful to hear the choir sing and to be in the incredible setting that is St Mary's Church.

" I would like to personally thank Lt Col John Rice for inviting me and Liz to be part of this historic service as well as all of the team who made the event possible.

"As we approach Remembrance Sunday, the Town Council are working very hard to organise ways in which we can show our respects whilst operating under Covid-19 guidelines.

"Whatever format these events take, I will be privileged to represent all of Warwick's residents as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice."