SMGWA Pauses to Reflect. 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 9 November – a time to pause in our busy schedule and remember the casualties of the two World Wars and more recent conflicts.

The afternoonRemembrance Parade will take place in the presence of His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst LL, who will deliver the addressduring the service led by The Rt Rev Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell.

Dignitaries gathering to pay their respects at the Stow Maries War Memorial will include Chair of Essex County Council, Cllr Ray Gooding; Chair of Maldon District Council, Cllr Kevin Lagan; The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale, Member of Parliament for Maldon; and Lt Col Ed Rankin, Colchester Garrison Commander, representing HM Armed Forces.Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome will be represented by Martyn Gill, Chair of Board Trustees SMGWA and Terry Dann, on behalf ofthe 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. Our War Memorial is dedicated to the officers, men and women of No.37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and RAF, but on this day, we pause to remember all those who served in the Great War and all theconflicts since. Please come and join us in our reflection."

Now 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. 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 No.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 7 December, with the Museum reopening on 13 February 2026.