Thank you, David Thomson, for the excellent Facebook Livestream from the Lochnagar Crater on the morning of July 1st. Although we had some rain during the early part of the Ceremony this did not affect the broadcast. David commences the Livestream in the few minutes before the official start of our special event and skilfully sets the mood for viewers far and wide. If you were unable to watch it at the time or were there and want to see it again please visit: https://www.facebook.com/703972899/videos/283721560828358
Julie’s ‘Welcome’ piece from The Ceremony
Good morning, welcome, bienvenue, wilkommen.
Thank you for gathering with us today as we remember and reflect on events here 107 years ago. At Lochnagar all are welcome and it is wonderful to see so many of you here today and for those joining us from afar via our livestream.
We are glad to see, once again, Mme la Sous-Préfète and the elected representatives for our area as well as representatives from many organisations. Thank you to the Commune of Ovillers La Boisselle and our maire, Christian Bernard.
The sound of the whistles and the solo piper playing so beautifully are evocative reminders of that sunny Saturday morning when so many lives were changed or lost forever and the echoes of that grief and loss reverberate today.
We all feel it in some way. It is why we are here.
Shortly, we will say together the Lochnagar promise in three languages.
In saying it we are making a commitment to lead better lives in honour of those who we stand here today to remember.
We think too, of Richard Dunning this morning who sadly cannot be here due to ill health. It is like a piece of us all is missing, as it is Richard who forms the link between the veterans who came here to remember and us here today. Richard recalls when he stood at the crater edge with Tommy Easton, Northumberland Fusilier, who would reflect on his comrades he left behind, forever in the fields of La Boisselle.
Richard has sent us this short message, to share here today.
Richard’s Special Message and Thanks to everyone
Dear Friends, it is very strange not to be standing here with you today and to miss the July 1st ceremony for the first time in 45 years. But I know that Lochnagar is in safe hands with the wonderful Trustees and, equally wonderful volunteers and congregation with us today, especially our friends from Ovillers La Boisselle and beyond.
Bless you all.
Before us is the Crater, that awesome symbol of the suffering of war.
And around us are the killing fields of the bloodiest square mile on the Western Front.
Where countless young men fell, their dreams and destinies denied and talents and gifts unfulfilled.
Their loss can be summed up in two simple words
‘Never again!’
Let those words forever echo across those same silent fields before us.
Thank you for being here today and I look forward to being with you all again next year.
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