A Pause for Reflection at SMGWA; Join Us at Our Remembrance Day Parade

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All are welcome to join us at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome for our Remembrance Parade on Sunday 8 November – a time to pause in our busy schedule and remember the casualties of the two World Wars and more recent conflicts.

The afternoon Remembrance Parade will take place in the presence of His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst LL. It will be Mrs Tolhurst's final visit to the Aerodrome in this role as she will be retiring in December, after nine years serving as His Majesty the King's personal representative in Essex.

As Lead Patron and a long-term supporter of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Mrs Tolhurst will lead the Honour Party and be the Saluting Officer at the Parade. She will also deliver the opening address at the start of the service, led by The Rt Rev Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell, and read the Kohima Epitaph at its close.

Dignitaries gathering to pay their respects at the Stow Maries War Memorial will include Chair of Essex County Council, Cllr Karen McIvor; Chair of Maldon District Council, CllrRon Pratt; The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale, Member of Parliament for Maldon; and a representative of Lt Col Ed Rankin, Colchester Garrison Commander, on behalf of HM Armed Forces. Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome will be represented by Martyn Gill, Chair of Board Trustees SMGWA and Terry Dann, on behalf of the pilots and volunteers at SMGWA.

The Parade will comprise the assembled ranks of Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force and RAF Air Cadets, along with Veterans from all services. Those wishing to take part in the Parade must be in appropriate uniform or, in the case of retired servicemen and women, wearing appropriate head dress. Visitors who are not part of the Parade will need to obtain a free ticket to the event. We welcome ticket holders to arrive from just before 11am, with the Parade assembling at 1.30pm and the service commencing at 2pm. The Airmen's Mess café will be open before and after the Parade.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "It is an honour to host our annual Remembrance Parade here, surrounded by original World War One buildings. On this day, we invite visitors to join us in remembering all who served in the Great War, and the conflicts since, and to honour those from 37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and RAF whose names are recorded on our Memorial. We also want to express our gratitude and good wishes to Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst on what will be one of her final official roles before she retires."

Free tickets to the Remembrance Day Parade must be obtained in advance from www.stowmaries.org.uk/events.

2/…Now the largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe and an accredited museum, Stow Maries opened in 1916 as home to B Flight of 37(HD) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. It played a pivotal role in the country'sair defence during raids by Zeppelins and Gotha bombers, and on 1 April 1918, it was at Stow Maries that 37 Squadron transitioned from the Royal Flying Corps to the Royal Air Force. The aerodrome continued its crucial role until May 1919, after which it returned to its farming roots.

Normal opening hours for Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm. The final opening day of the season will be on Sunday 6 December, with the Museum reopening on 12 February 2027. See www.stowmaries.org.uk for more information.