16 November 2013

Field of Remembrance - Westminster Abbey

We had a day trip up to London today.

Our first stop was the Field of Remenbrance in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. 

We were looking for the regimental badges of our war dead relatives and Claire's Dad, Victor, who served with 5 Commando in Burma.

We found the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Charles Devall) and the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry (William Devall) but not the Royal Irish Rifles of Claire's Grand-Uncle Timothy O'Leary.



I'll have to check to see what happened to the RIR***

It was very moving and although I didn't expect to see a cross with Devall on it, I had to check. There wasn't.

I texted my train buddy Mo and he took us into the Abbey and sorted out the audio guide equipment. I've never been and it's a shame there is no photography allowed. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is worth the tribute. 
   
From the Abbey we had a walk up Whitehall to look at the Cenotaph and the tributes from last week.

The wreaths of poppies are there; a little wind blown, but still there.

The photo shows the east face and the wreaths laid by The Queen and Royal Family.


Just a little further along is the relatively be memorial to the Women of World War 2.



*** Updated. The RIR meged with the Rangers in 1968 and their history is now - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ulster_Rifles

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