On Sunday 10 November 2024, Freemasons from all over the Chorley and Leyland Group joined with their local community, some proudly wearing their regalia, to pay respect to members of the Armed Forced who have sadly died in the line of duty to protect their county.
Remembrance is a very personal experience, with many Masons in the group being current or past serving members of the British Armed Force, who have found comradery within Freemasonry. Those brethren, along with non-serving members, came together and attended local memorials to lay wreathes across our footprint.
The group vice-chairman Mike Silver was out marshalling the event in Westhoughton, where brethren of Peace Lodge No 2269 laid wreathes. Group secretary Paul Wharton-Hardman laid a wreath in Leyland and Freemasons from other lodges and chapters were represented in Chorley, in Eccleston by Eccleston Lodge No 7754, Euxton, Longton, Bamber Bridge, in Preston by Carnarvon Lodge No 2376 and Hutton by Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614, in some cases with another group and alongside representatives from other Masonic Orders.
A new provincial initiative has led to Armed Forces Covenant Officers being allocated for each group, with Nick Medway being the Chorley and Leyland Group officer. These new AFCO’s will work closely with Gary Smith who is the Armed Forces Covenant Officer Provincial Representative.
In the weeks prior to Remembrance Sunday, many brethren also volunteered to support the Poppy Appeal, selling poppy badges and pins to the local community to raise funds to support the work of the Royal British Legion.
The tradition of Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of the First World War to honour those who gave their life in the line of duty. It is celebrated throughout the Commonwealth on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month; in accordance with the signing of the ‘Armistice’ in 1918, the formal agreement of warring parties to cease fighting.
Given our own recent history of conflict, notably in Iraq and Afghanistan, Remembrance Day remains ever relevant in today’s modern society. Many of us will see smaller War Memorials, where single wreaths and flowers are still placed. Whilst the National Memorial is held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, 1,000s of people meet at memorials in cities and towns to pay their respects.
We thank all those who paid their respects and we salute all those who lost their life in duty and all those who made it home.
