224 (Hexham) Squadron Weekend of Remembrance

This weekend cadets of 224 (Hexham) Squadron remembered those that have fought, are fighting or who lost their lives whilst protecting our country.

On Saturday alongside the Mayor of Hexham, members of Hexham Town Council, the Royal British Legion and two Army Cadets Corporal Annalise Laidlow (16) and Cadet Adam Hill (17) represented 224 (Hexham) Squadron at St Andrews Cemetery. With the other members of the community they laid Poppy Crosses on each of the forty-six war graves before laying a Poppy Wreath at the War Memorials in Hexham Hospital.

Later on in the day cadets from the Squadron joined forces with the local Army Cadet Force to sell poppies on the streets of Hexham to raise money for the Royal British Legion, one of the few occasions that the friendly rivalry between the two forces is forgotten to achieve the same goal; to raise money for a fantastic cause. The support from the local community was phenomenal with many generous donations that both the cadet forces and Royal British Legion appreciate.

The main event of the weekend was the Remembrance Parade through the streets of Hexham and service at the Cenotaph in Hexham's Sele Park. The Service of Remembrance began with the history of just a few of the 222 names on the Hexham Cenotaph before The Reverend Canon Graham B. Usher, Rector of Hexham read two passages from the bible. Flight Sergeant Daniel Crowther (18) joined in with the reading of the fourth stanza of the poem 'For the Fallen' before Adult Sergeant Jonathan Dunn played The Last Post followed by a two minute silence and then The Reveille on the trumpet.

The silence was followed by the laying of the wreaths, 224 (Hexham) Squadron was represented by Cadets' Matthew Craigs (15) and Thomas Simpson (17). The Service of Remembrance was concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the National Anthem before the parade marched off.

Flight Lieutenant V(RT) David Elliott, Officer Commanding of 224 (Hexham) Squadron said "Remembering those who gave their lives for our present is a very important event and it is vital that younger generations continue to do so. The cadets and staff of the Squadron gave an exceptional display to honour the fallen and I am extremely proud to have been a part of that."