In memory of those who fell

Published: 18th November, 2010
by DAN CARRIER and JOSIE HINTON

HE helped bury friends who were killed during the Falklands conflict, and has offered consolation to soldiers on the frontline in the Gulf War, Kosovo and Bosnia. So for Monsignor Phelim Rowland, based at St Mary’s Church in Holly Place, Hampstead, the November 11 Remembrance Day ceremony was particularly poignant.

The former army chaplain, who was in the British Army for 27 years, was among those who gathered on Thursday at the war memorial at Whitestone Pond. He said: “This is always a very moving day for me. I think of those who I served with – and those who I have buried.”

The ceremony saw schoolchildren from Christ Church school in New End pay their respects, and wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Hampstead Town councillor Conservative Chris Knight and pupils from Hampstead Hill in Pond Street.

Prayers were read by honorary assistant priest John Cooper, of Christ Church, Hampstead. 

Meanwhile, a solemn moment fell across Hampstead Cemetery on Thursday as young and old gathered together to remember those who lost their lives in both world wars.

The Rev Alistair Tresidder, of St Luke’s Church in Kidderpore Avenue, was again joined by Father Andrew Cain of St Mary’s Kilburn and St James’ West Hampstead and Father Jonathan Kester, of Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead.

The Rev Tresidder led prayers for a congreg­ation of more than 50 people including Camden’s deputy mayor Abdul Quadir and Fortune Green Cllr Flick Rea.Pupils from University College School, Hampstead, St Margaret’s Primary, Emmanuel Primary and the entire Year six from  St Mary’s Primary also attended.

Sukey Parnell from Emmanuel Church sang For the Fallen and a  trumpeter played the Last Post before everybody sang the national anthem.

The service began at the military memorial and then flowers were laid at the memorial of some of the local civilian war dead – situated in the south   end of the cemetery.

The Rev Tresidder said: “We had the largest congregation we’ve seen. It was a really blustery day which added to the atmosphere.”