Hundreds Attend Remembrance Parade at Historic World War One Aerodrome

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Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome paused for reflection on Sunday at its annual Remembrance Parade, attended by dignitaries from across Essex and around 400 of members of the public.

The opening address was given by Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, His Majesty the King's personal representative in Essex. Attending the Remembrance Parade, where she was also the Saluting Officer and delivered the Kohima Epitaph, was one of her final official duties before she retires from her role after nine years.

Mrs Tolhurst told the assembled Parade: "We are here at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome on this special day of Remembrance – a vital day as we still see communities across the world being challenged and embattled by conflict, and we hope and pray that peaceful solutions can be found." She went on to praise volunteers at Stow Maries for their spirit of community and their determination to continue the preservation and restoration of the historic Royal Flying Corps aerodrome: "I congratulate them on keeping the memory alive."

The service was led by The Rt Rev Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell,who addressed the assembled Parade of uniformed youth organisations, serving members of the Forces and Veterans. He spoke about the words of the famous hymn Abide with Me, sung at both football matches and funerals, but which is really "a prayer asking for the abiding presence of God", whose permanence and unchanging character, he said, shelters us in troubled times.

The service was held in front of the World War One Aerodrome's Memorial, which lists the names of members of Royal Flying Corps 37 Squadron who died in the service of their country. Remembering all those who died in both World Wars and more recent conflicts, wreaths were laid by The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon; Chair of Essex County Council Cllr Karen McIvor and CEO Nicole Wood; Chair of Maldon District Council, Cllr Ron Pratt and 2nd Lieutenant Ed O'Regan and Sergeant Bob Wykes representing 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison.Young members of Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force and RAF Air Cadets laid wreaths.Tributes were also laid by Martyn Gill, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and Terry Dann, representing the pilots based at Stow today.

Following the Exhortation, read by Martyn Gill, the Silence was framed by the evocative sounds of bugler Barry Nunn playing The Last Post and Reveille, echoing around Memorial Square.

After the Remembrance Parade was dismissed, the Lord Lieutenant was presented with a framed certificate granting her lifetime membership of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome's Propeller Club. The gift, which will allow her free entry for many happy years to come, was made in recognition of Mrs Tolhurst's long term support as the Accredited Museum's Lead Patron.

2/…Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "Our Remembrance Parade is always a poignant event, surrounded as we are by the original World War One buildings that were home to 37 Squadron, RFC and RAF. We are proud to have welcomed so many representatives of our Forces here today, commemorating those who served their country in conflicts past and present. We also want to take the opportunity to thank the Lord Lieutenant for everything that she has done for us in the past and to wish her a long and happy retirement."

The largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe and an Accredited Museum, Stow Maries opened in 1916 as home to B Flight of No.37 (HD) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and played a pivotal role in the country'sair defence during raids by Zeppelins and Gotha bombers. 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.