On Saturday 18 June at West Cornforth, a ceremony was held at the town’s war memorial in honour of both the 40th Anniversary of the ending of the Falklands war on 14 June 1982, and to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
The event was organised by Terry Hare and Stuart Hodgson of West Cornforth and District Royal British Legion.
A reading was done by Major Pauline Ingram of the Salvation Army followed by the Last Post played by Salvation Army Bugler Lawrence Thirlaway. A wreath was laid by a military veteran, then a two minutes silence was immaculately observed by all present.
As well as those in the picture, a further 40 people including both serving and other HM Armed Forces veterans were present, as well as members of the public including several from Chilton.
The West Cornforth Royal British Legion Standard was present, the Chilton Military Standard was also present as well as a County Durham Flag and Union Flag.
The war memorial in Cornforth is located outside the Thrislington Colliery Aged Mine Workers Homes on Vicarage Road. It was unveiled on the 15th of November 1924 by Richard A. Pease and dedicated by Rev. T.F. Fyffe. The memorial is dedicated to the 107 servicemen from the parish who lost their lives in the First World War. The names of 24 men were added after the Second World War.
Inscribed on the memorial is the following:
In honour and to the memory of the men of this parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 – 1918
Ye that live on English pastures green remember us and think what might have been 1939 – 1945.
A spokesperson said, “Well done all involved, a most dignified and respectful service, honouring the men and women who have and continue to serve our nation.”
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
