Garston Group brethren and their families gathered at Garston Masonic Hall on the day that was arranged by Stephen Lyon and Derek Horrocks of Chapter of Harmony No 220. The brethren and families gathered around the Cenotaph which is close to Garston Masonic Hall to lay wreathes there at 11am.
Ken Bradley of Lodge of Harmony No 220 laid a wreath on behalf of the lodge and John Murphy laid a wreath on behalf of the Mersey Valley Group. On completion of paying their respects at the Cenotaph, everyone went back to the hall for drinks and a Sunday lunch of vegetable soup and chicken with vegetables, the lunch was very well attended which made it into a family day of remembrance.
The afternoon continued with Jack Parker doing a slide presentation which showed several soldiers on the battlefield. One of the main stories was of Richard Todd, who during wartime was part of the British 6th Airbourne Division that parachuted into Normandy on 6 June 1944. They were reinforcements after the glider troops who had taken and were securing a bridge, later to be known as Pegasus Bridge. They had fought of several German counterattacks and had suffered heavy casualties. Richard Todd, later in 1962, played Major John Howard in the award-winning film the Longest Day.
There were several stories in the slide show with songs including Waltzing Matilda and the Parting Shot. It was a well-presented show with audience appreciative of the work by Jack Parker that had in researching the stories.
Stephen Lyon organised a raffle with several prizes donated by the organisers which raised £130 for the Royal British Legion. The Garston Hall Chairman Mal Yates organised the dining arrangements with everyone enjoying the afternoon and raising a donation for a very good cause as well as paying their respects at the Cenotaph.
