"We could have a more peaceful society": Message of hope this Remembrance Sunday in Ewell

Mayor and Mayoress Chris & Liz Frost, and Chris Grayling MP lead the procession from the war memorial

St Mary’s Church in Ewell had its “biggest turnout of the year” this morning as councillors, servicemen, members of the Royal British Legion, MP Chris Grayling and borough residents packed in for the Remembrance Sunday service.

At 10.30am a civic procession laid wreaths at the war memorial in the churchyard of the Spring Street church, before taking the places inside for a service of hymns, psalms and sermons.

Traditional rites of remembrance were also carried out including the performance of the Last Post, national anthem and recitation of the Kohima epitaph – “When you go home, tell them of us, and say: For your tomorrow we gave our today.”

Reverend Dr Patrick Miller, honorary assistant priest at St Mary’s delivered a moving sermon echoing the Royal British Legion’s call to extend the respect shown to the dead around Armistice Day to the living.

He said that in remembering the dead and in remembering past conflicts we can learn to change our ways in order to avoid future wars.

He said: “Since 1918 not a year has passed without conflict.

“If we treated all the living with the same respect that we treat the dead we could have a more peaceful society.

“If we treated all the living with the same kindness that we treat the dead we could have more rewarding relationships.”

Peter Perry, secretary of the Epsom and Ewell branch of the Royal British Legion, served in Aden, Egypt between 1964 and 1965, and agreed with the sentiment of Dr Miller’s sermon.

He said: “I think the British Legion hit the nail on the head when they said that we have to use our resources to help the living.

“I think today’s service gave you something to think about, particularly about those who fell in the war.

“The lasting memory of my time in a combat zone was that it was very hot and uncomfortable. People used to throw rocks and the occasional grenade.

“But it just doesn’t compare to the situation now in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am full of admiration for those guys. The things that they face were not even a consideration for me.”

Mr Perry also said that political leaders face a difficult “balancing act” between avoiding war and resorting to military intervention as a means of minimising future conflict.

He said: “You sometimes have to get involved whether you like it or not.

“Sometimes there is a moral judgement that needs to be made. And sometimes you have to look to the future and think of the long-term consequences, which may end up being worse.

“It is a balancing act, and it is hard.”

Ewell Roll of Honour

Councillor Michael Arthur of Ewell ward was impressed with the tradition of the ceremony, and hoped it would continue.

He said: “I think it’s important that we remember.

“It has been going for many, many years – since 1922 when the idea of remembrance was formed.

“There was always the afternoon service, but that seems to have fallen away, so it is good that this is now the principle one.”

Councillor Vince Romagnuolo, who served in the RAF at Brize Norton thought today’s service, and the turnout, was “very impressive”.

He said: “I think it was very moving. It was also very humbling.

“I served at Brize Norton which unfortunately, is where a lot of servicemen who are killed in action are brought back to.

“Today’s service and procession really does bring back a lot of memories.”

Vicar of Ewell, the Reverend Russell Dewhurst, led the service.

He said: “It was good to see a full church and the whole community coming together.

“One thing I find so powerful about this is that the whole community is represented – by all the organisations that lay the wreaths at the memorial, and by the attendance of people representing wider groups, from the army to the cadets to the cub scouts.

“There really was a sense of community here today.

“Remembrance Sunday is often the biggest turnout of the year.”