Monte Cassino 75 by Sheila Edwards

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6th June 2019

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Monte Cassino 75

After seven months in the planning, the day finally arrived for the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Italian Campaign. Many members of the Association had travelled to Staffordshire to participate in the event which was held at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. In total there were 35 Veterans who made the trip, which was amazing.

Those participating in the commemoration had strict instructions to arrive at the venue by 9.00am for a rehearsal. The Standard Bearers were taken through their paces by the Parade Marshall John Grimes. Invited guests began to arrive at 10.00am and after registering enjoyed a welcome hot drink which was much appreciated on what was a very overcast and “cool” day. Whilst invited guests were given Silver wrist bands, Standard Bearers, blue bands, the guests of honour – our Veterans, Gold wristbands. At the front of the building a long stream of people could be seen queuing up to get into the venue.

At 11:00 the Parade formed up, headed by The Black Watch Association Pipe Band and then the Union flag which was followed by numerous Standards which looked amazing. Our Association was represented with Joe Correa carrying our National Standard and Malcolm Cufflin carrying a Branch Standard. Following the standards, the parade of Veterans was led by Mr. Terry Whittles, The National Chairman of the Royal British Legion and Mr. David Whimpenney, The Chairman of the National Memorial Arboretum, the invited guests then followed on. This amazing parade arrived at the marquee and everyone was seated ready for the Ceremony to commence at 11:30. Veterans were the VIPs on the days and once in the marquee, were seated in front of the invited guests such as the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire and numerous other dignitaries.

The ceremony was superbly led by Flight Lieutenant Mandeep Kaur, Sikh Chaplin to the Armed Forces. There were readings from service personnel past and present including our Patron Colonel David Blum. The music was played by The Band of the Prince of Wales’ Division, Lance Corporal Chamandeep Singh of 22nd Signal Regiment sang unaccompanied; a beautiful song entitled “Bury me out at Cassino.” Towards the end of the ceremony Petty Officer Matt Hicks played the banjo to accompany himself singing “The Ballad of the D Day Dodgers.” It was lovely to hear the voices of the veterans helping him with the vocals! Afterwards Matt spoke to me and said that as soon as he heard the Veterans joining in, he sang softer so that the Veterans voices shone through. The Exhortation was said by Mr. Terry Whittles, The National Chairman of the Royal British Legion which was followed by the last post and two minutes silence. The National Anthem was then sung before the Standards departed.

Everyone then headed back to the venue for lunch. During the lunch period Robin and I circulated to try to meet as many of our members as possible. Those wearing the Association tie were easily spotted! I managed to meet up with Fred Mason, Jim Shepherd, John Dennett, Jack Andrew, our President Bryan Woolnough and our Patron Colonel David Blum. But within excess of 350 people attending it was a bit like looking for needles in a haystack! But we did our best. There were several large screens around the venue and the RBL – with a little help from the Imperial War Museum and our Association, used them to show pictures from the Italian Campaign. Both Bryan and Colonel Blum were interviewed live for Sky TV. In fact, Bryan became quite a celebrity on the day as a number of people asked him to sign the forward in the programme and he also had his photograph printed in the Sunday Telegraph the following day.

In the afternoon, there were two Wreath Laying Ceremonies scheduled, the first at 14:30 took place at the Polish Forces War Memorial and ours was planned for 15:10. It was quite a distance to walk to the Memorials, so the British Legion had planned transport for the Veterans in the form of golf buggies. So shortly after 14:00 the Veterans started to get themselves ready by boarding the buggies that were used to ferry them to the different memorials. Once the ceremony at the Polish War Memorial was completed, the Standards marched down to our Memorial – followed by a procession of buggies.
Our Wreath Laying act of Remembrance was conducted by The Very Revd. Nicholas Frayling, Dean Emeritus of Chichester who is an honorary member of the Association. During the short service the Exhortation was said by our Patron, Colonel David Blum O.B.E. The Last Post and Reveille was played by Antonio. Wreaths were laid by our President Bryan Woolnough M.B.E, Mr. Terry Whittle, on behalf of the R.B.L. and Mr. David Whimpenney, on behalf of the National Memorial Arboretum. After the Blessing and the Standards had marched off; guests were invited to lay their personal wreaths.

It had been a very emotional day and in the words of one of our members Keith Green “The ceremony delivered the respect that the day commanded. The readings were touching and the singing uplifting, it must have brought a mixture of both happy and sad memories to the Veterans.”

Photo Above, ISA President Bryan Woolnough M.B.E, picture from Sky News ©.
I think that the commemoration on 11th May raised the profile of the Italian Campaign. Sky News gave good coverage on the day, Bryan was pictured preparing to lay the wreath at our memorial in the Sunday Telegraph and the Staffordshire Express & Star had an article on the front page of their 13th May edition. On 18th May, Veteran Fred Mason featured in the Radio 4 programme PM, talking about the Campaign. In the words of The Secretary of State for International Dialogue, Republic of Poland, “The Italy Campaign of World War 2 is often described as “The Forgotten” campaign. I hope that the event today will help ensure that the world never forgets.”

I think that the commemoration on 11th May raised the profile of the Italian Campaign. Sky News gave good coverage on the day, Bryan was pictured preparing to lay the wreath at our memorial in the Sunday Telegraph and the Staffordshire Express & Star had an article on the front page of their 13th May edition. On 18th May, Veteran Fred Mason featured in the Radio 4 programme PM, talking about the Campaign. In the words of The Secretary of State for International Dialogue, Republic of Poland, “The Italy Campaign of World War 2 is often described as “The Forgotten” campaign. I hope that the event today will help ensure that the world never forgets.”

It was a privilege to serve on the steering committee with members of the Royal British Legion to plan this event. I would like to thank everyone from the Association, who attended on the day, our amazing veterans who travelled to the N.M.A and to Our Patron, Our President, Standard Bearers – Joe and Malcolm and the Very Revd. Nicholas Fraying, for giving freely of their time to participate in the event.
Sheila Edwards – National Secretary