49 Inkerman Battery, Royal Artillery

I was recently given the honour and privilege of presiding at a joint remembrance and Inkerman Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum. (Inkerman day being the fifth of November).

During the short service where we paid respect to those of the battery, the Royal Artillery and all who have, did and do serve, surrounded by the many names of those who have given their lives for this country, I realised how much we owe to the passing generations in honouring their efforts.

Some went, though they did not want to. Some went willingly and keenly, up for the fight and ready to engage the enemy. All who returned were changed and touched by their experience. At the end of the service we stood to the strains of "I'll see you in my dreams," and many a mind's eye was cast back to some silly sod standing by a field piece, in a trench or some other absurd place doing a soft shoe shuffle whilst it was sung or played on some available instrument (how did they manage to take their ukes? Mouth Organs and harmonicas I can understand but brass and strings taken to war, beggars belief).

I was reminded of Siegfried Sassoon's poem, everyone sang:

Everyone suddenly burst out singing;

And I was filled with such delight as a prisoner must find in freedom,

Winging wildly across the white orchards and dark-green fields;

On, on, and out of sight.

Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;

And beauty came like the setting sun;

My heart was shaken with tears; and horror drifted away

O, but everyone was a bird;

And the song was wordless;

The singing will never be done.

Dona Eis Requiem