Remembrance Sunday at Lytham, 14th November 2021
 
It was a beautiful sunny Autumn Day, a great occasion at Lytham War memorial, which became a natural amphitheatre. I’m guessing that up to a thousand were there, including the Deputy Mayor, Representatives and Clergy from the main churches in the town, Representatives of the Royal British Legion, Ex Servicemen and Women, the RNLI and Coastguards, Sea cadets, Army Cadets and Air Training Corps, Scouts, Guides Brownies, etc etc etc and then Brethren of Semper Fidelis Mark Lodge No 880, and many many more, too many to count.
The Semper Fidelis in procession -  Bro. Tittley, W.Bro. Ogden, Bro. Pallister
In the procession from the Assembly Rooms, following the Brass Band from the Lytham Green end of the Square, the Semper Fidelis party were in the last third of the procession, preceding a number of brethren from the Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes. They were from New Era Lodge no 10229 which had recently transferred from Leyland to meeting at Lytham Ex-Service & Social Club  having lost their Meeting place at Leyland.  (Now where have I heard of that sort of thing happening before at Leyland?)
 
On approaching the War memorial we were directed by Fylde Borough Council into a prime position for laying the Semper Fidelis wreath with the Buffs directly behind us.  Our wreath laying party consisted of W.Bro. John Ogden PGJD (me),  Bros. Chris Tittley Lodge Almoner and David Pallister Lodge Charity Representative, with Brian Pearson watching. There were a considerable number of onlookers, three or four deep, all round the Remembrance Garden surrounding the War Memorial, and I guessed there may well have been up to a thousand in total of all ages present altogether.
Semper Fidelis Wreath Laying Party with the Lodge's wreath
Bro. Pallister, Bro. Tittley, W.Bro.Ogden
Four motionless Sea Cadets formed a guard on the four corners of the Memorial itself.
 
The Service commenced, with Readings and Prayers, shared by Anglican Chaplain, and the representative of the Free Churches.  The hymn 'Blest are the pure in heart' was sung before The Act of Remembrance and then the Last Post sounded followed by two minutes silence before the Reveille, another prayer, and the Laying of the Wreaths. The Semper Fidelis wreath was laid by me in a very prominent position on the East Side of the memorial.  Once the wreaths had all been laid The Kohima Epitaph was said : “When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today”
The Lodge's wreath in the centre of the top row, facing the camera
 
Following the Intercession by the Roman Catholic Chaplain and the Lord's Prayer, the representative of the Jewish Representative read the Memorial Prayer followed by the first verse of the National Anthem.
John Ogden with Barry Skelhorn Secretary of the Buffs Lodge
 
A Blessing by the Anglican Chaplain rounded off the Service and the procession returned to the starting point. 
 
Throughout the proceedings the Fire Brigade provided cover in case they should be needed.
 
Report and photographs Courtesy of by W. Bro. John Ogden PGJD