BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a continued act of gratitude to those brave men who gave their lives for the good of mankind during the First and Second World Wars, a traditional memorial ceremony was held yesterday (Nov. 14) at the War Memorial, Basseterre, St. Kitts.
The Remembrance Day Ceremony, held in customary style, commenced with a two-minute silence in honour of the veterans and their sacrifices, the beginning and ending of which were signalled by gunfire.
Befitting the moment, the Last Post was rendered by the Defence Force Band following the period of silence.
Populated by representatives of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Ministers of Government, Consular and Diplomatic Corps, Ex-Servicemen’s Legion, uniformed bodies and members of the public, the Cenotaph was filled with readings/words of thanks to God, the promotion of peace and tribute.
Interspersed in the different readings were the singing of old hymns and selections played by the Defence Force Band.
The men of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla who served in World War I (1914-1918) are Joseph Cephus, James Daniel, Arthur Dickenson, Donald Edwards MC, H D Edwards DSO, John Foreman, Edmund Gordon, H Herbert Jones, James L E R Lake, Joseph Lewis, Joseph McKoy, Edwards Mills, Hubert Mitchell, Donald Patrice, Edward Hope Ross, Horace Veira, Ivor Wakefield, William C Wattley, Richard White and Robert Woolward.
Serving in World War II (1939-1945) were J E Alves DFM; Peter Berkley; Sydney Delisle; A E Farara; G G H Farara DFC, DFM and Basil Veira.
Led by the Governor-General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert M. Sebastian, wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph by Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Commissioner of Police Celvin Walwyn, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace, Chief Fire Officer Hester Rawlins and representatives of the other attending bodies.
The names of those from St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla who served in the two world wars were announced after the wreaths were laid, which undoubtedly led many to reflect on the plight of these brave men and their state of minds during battle.
At the beginning of the ceremony, a member of the clergy rendered the following in remembrance of our all those who had placed their lives on the line for world peace:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them.”
