Remembrance Commemoration 2025 at the Cross of Sacrifice Sunday 9th November
FoSOC’s Remembrance Commemoration 2025 was, once again, in two parts, first at the Cross of Sacrifice led by Geoff Watts and afterwards at the Belgian Memorial with Graham Linecar, both members of FoSOC.
At the Cross, Geoff began by letting everyone know the very sad news that our President, the highly acclaimed and distinguished architectural and cemetery historian Professor James Stevens Curl had passed away on 5 November. Geoff paid a moving tribute to him and there was a silence in respectful memory.
We had the honour of our commemoration being attended by the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Cllr James Baillie, and distinguished guests. The Escort for the Lord Mayor was excellently provided by Southampton Sea Cadets with their Commander, Lt. Lindsay Bassett RNR. Geoff recalled that this year marked the 80 th anniversary of the end of World War II with commemoration of VE and VJ Days and, to be held on 18 November, commemoration of the return, in 1945, of Prisoners of War and internees from the Far East.
Remembering all those who have died for our Freedoms and all who have served and all who have suffered as a result of war, Geoff then turned to how, why and when Southampton had become a target in World War II with heavy bombing of both docks and town. He explained that the Commonwealth (then the Imperial) War Graves Commission was given responsibility for recording, during the Second World War, the names of civilians who lost their lives. Twenty-two of those who died in Southampton are buried at the cemetery and Geoff brought to mind the names and stories of some of them.
Archie Parsons of the Royal British Legion spoke the Exhortation following which Neal Garvey sounded the Last Post and there was a Minute’s silene ended by Neal sounding the Rouse. Wreaths were then laid by the Lord Mayor for Southampton, followed by representatives for Belgium, the Royal British Legion, Commonwealth war Graves Commission. Military Intelligence, the Royal Welsh Regiment, Bereavement Services, King Edward VI School, Southampton Sotonians and Friends, Southampton Solent Rotary Club and FoSOC.
The Lord Mayor’s Address had as its focus life in Southampton during the Second World War.
The commemoration at the Cross was concluded with the Kohima Epitaph being spoken by Cllr Jaden Beaurain. The gathering then moved to the Belgian Memorial.
Grateful thanks to Bruce Larner for all the pictures.
