Dover.uk.com

Service of Remembrance.

8 November 2007

Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving for Dovorian civilians Nov 6th.

Words and Pictures from Barry Wadsworth-Smith.

Picture shows Freddie Spinner's niece Jan Vickery, the Rev David Ridley who conducted the Service, and John Cork, seen here at St Mary's Cemetary.


I have attended quite a few Remembrance services in the past but this one will always stay with me, the church of St Mary the Virgin was packed today(Nov 6) as people remembered the Dovorian civilians who lost their lives in the two World Wars. Listening to the relatives reflecting on the lives of their lost Grandmothers, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts & Uncles who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time brought home the futility of war. You could not help a lump rising in your throat when John Cork spoke with extreme fondness of his best mate Freddie Spinner who died aged 9 as he stepped off the train at Dover Priory Station in September 1944, the tears were difficult to hold back as he fondly remembered 'the terrible twins' as they were known, larking about amongst the bombed out ruins of Dover.


John Cork reading the rendition to Freddie while Mayor Bob Markham stands alongside in solemn reflection.
 
The service was also a thanksgiving for the brave forces who silenced the guns which fired over a thousand shells at 'Hellfire Corner' killing and injuring hundreds of Dovorians, they were represented by Colonel Kevin Cotten, CD, who came down from the Canadian High Commission in London.

Following the service there was an unveiling and dedication of a headstone for Freddie Spinner who previously lay in an unmarked grave with his father who passed away when Freddie was only three years old.

Our thanks go out to Marilyn Stephenson-Knight & Simon Chambers of The Dover War Memorial Project who organised the service.

Some very familiar faces attended as you can see from this misty shot.

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