Rememberin​g The Dead from the First World War at Christ Church

 Photo  by L. Katiyo

Yesterday there were lots of ceremonies in the UK and Europe to  remember the beginning of the First World War.  Although many of the ceremonies have been quite low key, it is the beginning of a year that will see many tributes to those who suffered in the ‘Great War’.

Regular contributor  L Katiyo  reports from  the Isle of Dogs memorial ceremony to remember the dead from the First World War at Christ Church.

A few people gathered around the memorial at Christ Church to remember all those from the Isle of Dogs who were caught up in the courageous but tragic events of the First World War.  They remembered those who were killed in action, or by disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, the wounded, maimed and injured, those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare.

Photo  by L. Katiyo

It was a sombre, touching ceremony attended by our local MP Jim Fitzpatrick and Councillor Peter Golds.  Thanks to David Longbottom of Christ Church who served in the services himself, for organising the event.

Photo  by L. Katiyo

Christ Church has two war memorials, one is outside the church at the corner of Manchester Road and Glenaffric Avenue and the other inside St John’s Chapel.   David has been working hard and has managed to raise part of the funding required to renovate the memorial outside the church.  The letters on the memorial have faded and unfortunately, so have the names inscribed on it.  Work on the restoration will commence soon.  The inscription will read:

REMEMBER BEFORE GOD

THE GALLANT DEAD WHOSE

NAMES ARE WRITTEN HERE

THOUGH THEIR BODIES LIE

IN OTHER LANDS.

THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY

AUGUST 1914 – 1919

GRANT THEM O LORD ETERNAL REST

AND LET LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE

UPON THEM

The ceremony which began with prayers and the laying of the wreath at the memorial outside the church, ended with the laying of a wreath at the memorial inside St John’s Chapel.

Photo  by L. Katiyo