2011 Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance

This year, the British Legion celebrates 90 years of service to

the men and women of the Armed Forces and to their families.

During that time, the poppy has become THE enduring symbol of

remembrance. This is one of the very first poppies to emerge from

the Legion's workshop back in the 19 20s. It is simple and fragile

and yet a strong statement that we will always remember. In a few

moments, Her Majesty the Queen will join us here at the Royal Albert

Hall as we mark a special year for the British Legion at the Festival

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Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, in the 12

months since last year's Festival, 44 members of the British Armed

Forces have lost their lives, others have suffered life-changing

injuries. This year, the Royal British Legion marks 90 years of

supporting veterans and their families. 90 years from the Somme

to Helmand Province. It is now laying the ground work for the next

90 years and beyond. Much of that responsibility of course lies with

the Legion's workers throughout the United Kingdom. So would you please

welcome the National and Branch Standards of the Royal British

Legion, Royal British Legion Scotland and representatives of the

ex-service and civilian The Union Flag bearer is John

Grimes. He is followed by the National Standard Bearer David

Brown and we have 17-year-old John Thornhill the Youth Standard Bearer.

A strong presence of cadets. 14,000 sea cadets represented. 47,000 army

cadets and 900 squadrons of the RAF's cadet force. Here we have the

109 Standard Bearers from the branches, the people who do all the

hard work up-and-down the country and that provide support for people

in local communities and of course a social life, a meeting place for

members to get together. Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones in his final

year as Senior Director of Music. Part of a very important team of

people including Garrison Sergeant Major Bill Mott. Among the Ex-

Service Associations this year we have the War Widows Association,

And also with us tonight the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen

and Women represented by Leslie My husband is Major Jon Cresswell

and he is in 29 Commando. The choir was set up six months ago

and it's for wives and girlfriends, mothers and daughters of families

of deployed units. and it was set up by Gareth Malone.

It's been an absolute godsend to us while the men are away.

Each rehearsal that we have, you look forward to that date,

so you've got something else to think about.

You get to sing and all your emotion comes out.

At the Festival of Remembrance we're singing Wherever You Are.

It's been composed by Paul Mealor and he's took lyrics from letters

that we've wrote, and he's tried to put them together

in a song that's really going to represent what we're about

and about the boys coming home, and that's what we want to say to them.

While Tom's been away, I've tried to write every day.

Letters are really important to us because you're out there

and you've been working hard and you know there's an influx of

letters due soon, so you see the helo come in,

landing with the mailbags, and you think, "Oh, hope

I've got a letter." The tour has been a huge challenge.

When the incidents have happened, they've come out of nowhere,

in many senses. We have enjoyed success out there

but it's been tempered by the sad losses we've taken.

In terms of maintaining morale, letters are essential -

that reminder of home. Jon came home two weeks ago and

it was wonderful. The children were counting down

the days and the hours. You know, you go through a sort of

mixture of emotions - it's excitement,

it's nerves, it's relief. You're waiting for seven months for

that one day to come, and it's so long to wait for one day.

It's just so exciting. It doesn't matter how long you've

been together, every time I go to pick him up, I get butterflies.

I hope that with this song and these beautiful words,

we are able to capture that emotion of what it's like when you're away

from the person you love the most. For example, the lines,

"Wherever you are, my heart will keep you safe,

"my love will build a bridge of light across both time and space."

It doesn't get better than that. Sitting in the Albert Hall

listening to her sing, it's going to make me feel really

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# My heart will build # Wherever I am

# I will keep you safe Than this

# Cling on to faith Greater love

# Along the dark, dark way

# Wherever I am That a man

# I will hold on through the night Lay down his life

# I will pray each day

# A safe return For his friends

# And look up now to the light

# Light up the darkness

# My wondrous star

# Our hopes and dreams

# My heart and yours

# Forever shining far

# Light up the darkness

# My prince of peace

# May the stars shine all around you

# May your courage never cease. #

# Ahh

# May your courage never cease. #

APPLAUSE

At

At this

At this Festival

At this Festival we remember all those who have been called

to make personal sacrifice in the service of our nation,

including the ultimate sacrifice. We stand shoulder to shoulder with

all who serve. We will care for those who suffer,

comfort the lonely and give support to all in need.

Holding high this torch of remembrance, we go forward

committed to strive for peace and The challenge for the British

Legion today is to be as relevant to the Armed Forces' community as

it was in 1921. In those early years, its resources were tested to

the limit as the economy collapsed and millions were unemployed. In

fact the jobless total for 1921 was the highest on record. The big

problem for many countries then, as it is today, was debt. Vast sums

had been borrowed to pay for the Great War in six million Britons

had been mobilised. But as the '20s gave way to the '30s, a degree of

economic prosperity returned and the music of that time reflects the

more upbeat mood. Here to give us a taste of that age, are the Royal

Air Force Squadronaires and his first-ever appearance at this

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# And I've said to myself # When, darling

# I'd sacrifice anything # Just the thought of you

# I would sacrifice anything # And it keeps on repeating

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# Just the thought of you Now in the past year, the charity

come bass stress has helped more than 1,400 servicemen and women

suffering from depression or anxiety or a phobia, or post-

traumatic stress disorder. The current case load is more than

4,500 including more than 200 Afghanistan veterans and more than

500 Iraq veterans. These are problems of course which can affect

an entire network of family and friends. For 90 years, the British

Legion has been caring and that work, however challenging, goes on

It was October 2010, I received a phone call from

Terry's long-term partner, Danielle. She was extremely distressed on

the phone, she was crying, and told me that, basically,

we were her last chance. I first joined the Army in

September '01 at the age of 16. It was just something I'd always

wanted to do, and I've stayed in for eight years.

He changed a lot when he come home from Afghanistan.

He started drinking a lot, he weren't sleeping,

he was tossing and turning and sweating and he said he was

having nightmares, but never said of what.

One weekend he'd gone out with his friends and he didn't come home,

he stayed out all night, and he was drunk when he come home

the day after. We had a big argument and I went

back up to my mum's with the kids. And then he set fire and went and

got in bed. Terry, sadly, had tried to take his

own life by burning down the house. The firemen went in and Terry

pushed them away and said, "No, I just want to go to bed.

I want to go to sleep." I was gutted that they got to me

in time. That's the way I thought

at the time. The first time I met Terry was

actually in prison. I went to visit him while he was on remand.

I wanted to get a feel of Terry, what support he needed.

Straight away I thought, "I'm wondering if this is

post-traumatic stress disorder," so we made a referral to

Combat Stress. Bad stuff happened when I was out

in Afghanistan, but at the time, you don't think

anything of it - that's just your job, it's your

day-to-day routine. With the house having some damage,

we got Danielle a new home and we helped furnish.

We didn't want to see them homeless. I also attended Terry's court date

and, sadly, he got sentenced to two years in prison,

but he put an appeal in immediately and we got Combat Stress to put in

medical reports and his sentence got halved.

British Legion's helped me, they've helped Terry, they've

helped Cameron and Holly. They've been really, really good.

Without the British Legion. I wouldn't be the person I am today,

cos I wouldn't have had the help that I've had.

They just made me and my family # Through Flanders, Portugal

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# Through Flanders, Portugal # Through Flanders, Portugal

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# Through Flanders, Portugal Yes, our thanks as always to the

Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines and to Alfie Boe, who sang earlier.

When the Legion's leaders considered their task 90 years ago,

they realised that supporting the families of those who lost a loved

one was one of their most urgent prior tis. That hasn't changed. So

as we prepare to welcome the relatives and war widows to the

Festival in this 40th anniversary year of the War Widows Association,

When I first met Daniel, it was like fireworks, really.

Butterflies were going in your stomach.

and so when Daniel first flew to Afghanistan, it was a very hard day

for all of us. And luckily, they let him go home

earlier as I was going into labour quite early.

He had tears in his eyes when Daniel was at home for 12 days

The last goodbye was very difficult but he felt he needed to be there

with his friends and colleagues. The last thing he did say to me was,

you know, "I love you, "and I'll be home in six weeks'

time, so don't worry." On the 16th of March, whilst they

was out on patrol, they came under heavy contact.

As they was moving, started moving back in, we heard the explosion.

Seconds after, we heard on the radio, "Contact IED,"

which means somebody's hit. He was double amputee and he had

a weak pulse. I was devastated.

He flew back to Birmingham hospital. He did get to hold Logan

one last time. And then he later on passed away.

I'd like Dan to be remembered as the fun-loving guy,

prankster that he was. You know, just a great, great son.

He was a great guy, a great friend of mine,

one of the best soldiers that myself, and I think nobody in the

company would disagree with me, has worked with.

I always know that he's beside me and he's watching me.

And he's watched our little boy, Tonight Emily Prior is accompanied

by Daniel's father, Ian. Tay are followed by Emily's father and

Among the group is Yvonne Cameron, whose husband, Alan, from 1st

Battalion Scots Guards died in March of this year from injuries

sustained in Afghanistan. A very warm welcome for the relatives of

On Remembrance Sunday last year, Ranger Aaron McCormick was killed.

He was 22. His mother Margaret McCormick is here today. Elizabeth

Chapman is here with daughters Chloe and Georgina. Lieutenant

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Commander Darren Chapman was killed Fourth of December was a really bad

weather day, probably the worst weather day that we had.

We were on shift as part of the immediate response team.

Unfortunately, our worst fear happened. We had a shout at night.

We received a call to go out to a gentlemen who was a member of the

Afghan national police force, who had been significantly injured.

It was very, very bad. We had no moon, so the night-vision

goggles were not working, so we couldn't see the ground.

It was very, very difficult flying. I've never flown anything

as difficult. We picked up the casualty

and then the Joint Tactical Air Controller told us

that there was another casualty needed to be picked up two miles to

the southwest of Sangin. He'd sustained injuries to his face.

He could potentially have had quite significant problems,

or loss of sight. We weren't sure if we could do it.

The visibility was getting worse and worse. I was just progressing

up the valley wall. Suddenly, the height reduced,

and at 70 feet, I just saw the ground rushing to the aircraft.

We just narrowly missed a ridge that we couldn't see.

On the climb out, we lost complete visual with the ground,

so decided to go back to Bastion. As we went back, we were already

formulating a plan on how we were going to get back into the area.

On the approach, the visibility was so bad that we actually came to the

north of Sangin, so inside Sangin town itself.

We were directly behind a place called Wombat Wood,

which is a place that used to be used by the insurgents,

so really the wrong place to be. We picked up the casualty and then

returned to Bastion. It was only on returning back to

Bastion when we actually heard the significant sighs of relief

that we'd got back safely, that we realised the gravity of the

situation we'd been encountering. Your experience, your training,

help you deal with it. And you achieved it. And the result

is, you brought someone home. Frenchie's been awarded

the Air Force Cross. It was very well deserved.

It makes me feel immensely proud that I was part of that loop

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MUSIC: "Those Magnificent Men MUSIC: "Those Magnificent Men

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Having celebrated the distinguished history of the Royal Air Force,

please welcome Flight Lieutenant Frenchie Duncan DFC, AFC,

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accompanied by one of "the few", Few institutions in the United

Kingdom have a record of unbroken service spanning more than three

centuries and none is as distinguished probably as the Royal

Hospital Chelsea home to the men and women in scarlet. The Royal

Hospital has been renewed and equipped to meet the needs of the

veterans of the 21st Century. Tonight, flanked by serving members

of the Army, the Chelsea Pensioners take their place at this Festival

and they always enjoy the warmest Michael Funnell is the eldest

pensioner tonight. Marjorie Cole is the third woman to become a Chelsea

Among them, too, 82-year-old John Eggleton, who has been an in-

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pensioner for nine years after an Improvised explosive devices

are the biggest killer of both our troops and Afghans.

We're dealing with approximately 1,000 incidents a month.

My soldiers are the actual people who, once the device is found,

will walk down to the device and make it safe.

I've always loved solving problems, and a bomb is just a problem that

I need to find the answer to. A task can take anything up to,

you know, two hours, to six hours. You don't know what to expect.

Things can change dramatically from one second to the next

so you've just got to be prepared at all times for the worst.

If we can do one IED a day, it's potentially saved one person

that day, so that's the motivation that keeps

you going. Since 2006, the Counter-Improvised

Explosive Device Task Force have had nine killed, and 50

life-changing injuries. As a regiment, we've had six killed,

with ten life-changing injuries. As a small community, we feel that.

The last fatality within the regiment was 19th of April,

Captain Lisa Head. She died in Afghanistan dealing

with a complex and tricky group of explosive improvised devices.

Lisa was incredibly bubbly. She was the life and soul of a party.

She was just an amazing person. I have immense pride with my

soldiers. I think they do an amazing job every day of the year.

All of my operators will have known someone who has passed away,

who has died doing the job, and it's a job they love doing,

# Who can say for certain # I feel you all around me

# Deep in the stillness I can hear you speak

# You're still an inspiration

# Can it be

# That you are mine

# Forever, love

# And you are watching over me from up above?

# Fly me up to where you are

# Beyond the distant star

# I wish upon tonight

# To see you smile

# If only for a while To know you're there

# A breath away's not far to where you are

# Are you gently sleeping here inside my dream?

# And isn't faith believing

# All power can't be seen?

# As my heart holds you

# Just one beat away

# I cherish all you gave me

# Every day

# Cos you are mine

# Forever, love

# Watching me from up above

# And I believe that angels breathe

# And that love will love on and never leave

# Fly me up to where you are

# Beyond the distant star

# I wish upon tonight

# To see you smile

# If only for a while To know you're there

# A breath away's not far

# To where you are

# I know you're there

# A breath away's not far

# To where you are. #

APPLAUSE

APPLAUSE

Our

Our thanks

Our thanks to

Our thanks to Joe McElderry there. Several times in recent years one

particular news item has inspired viewers to voice their opinions

very loudly - the plight of the Gurkha veterans drew overwhelming

sympathy and support. More than 200,000 Gurkhas served in both

World Wars, eventually becoming part of the British Army. Members

of the Brigade have been awarded no fewer than 13 Victoria Crosses.

Later in the Festival, another distinguished Gurkha will be

carrying the Book of Remembrance. But now, we welcome the pipes band

and dancers of the Brigade of Gurkhas, directed by Major Vernon

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What happened all those years ago, 70 odd years ago,

is just as clear as yesterday was. The biggest battle I think

that I fought throughout the war was D-Day itself.

We got on the boat and we pulled out into Southampton Water

and all the lads up on these boats were all cheering and clapping.

It felt like coming out of the tunnel at Wembley,

playing for England and all the crowd cheering like mad.

And the emotion that I felt and all my friends felt, it took me...

it took me ten minutes to quarter of an hour to get over it.

I kept rubbing my eyes, like that. In fact, I'm doing it now.

I've got bloody tears in my eyes. I got wounded about the fifth day

after D-Day, and my mate was killed outright.

All I got was a minor wound in the foot, I was lucky.

But he was unfortunate. He copped the lot, you see.

And he was only 18. And you never forget him, no.

I live now in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

We all got some sort of action experience,

and it's just an absolute bond between us.

I've been here one year. I've lived on my own now for 19

years and I've got no family. This is my family now.

When I wear my poppy in November, I feel proud because I am

representing all my dead friends, and all the rest of them that

aren't my friends. It's in memory of them, and so it

should be - they gave their lot. You can't give more than that.

Wearing the poppy is a very emotional thing,

you must understand, to those of us who were there.

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# For the ones who gave # A flower tells

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# For the life you gave # Your courage

# Without demand Without demand

# For the ones so brave For the ones who saved

# Who saved This land

# Your finest hour you gave

# The sacrifice you made for us

# Your sacrifice

# We thank you

# We thank you

# Thank you

# A flower tells a simple story. #

APPLAUSE

By

By the

By the time

By the time the Legion came into existence in 1921 the tradition of

observing the annual two-minute silence in memory of the dead had

already been established. This great hall will fall silent tonight

once again when the poppies fall and we all remember. Our service

will begin when representatives of today's servicemen and women have

joined us and we start the Muster 42 representatives of the Royal

Navy with us tonight. They represent the ships, the submarines,

the Naval Air Squadrons, the commando units and the shore

Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval The Royal Marines joining us in the

Albert Hall. Last month, 3 Commando Brigade returned from a six-month

deployment. The Royal Naval Reserve. The Royal Marines Reserve, too.

Some 600 trained ranks in all. They assist the regular corp. We have

the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Some 18 members of the Army Muster

party tonight. The music is the give-away. F-Company Scots Guards.

Scots Guards due to deploy to Afghanistan again in October next

2Nd Battalion The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment. 11 members

led by Major James Inch based in Woolwich. Queen's Ghurkas Orderly

Officers. Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Serving in NHS

hospitals alongside military medical teams as well in the field.

The Territorial Army. 31 members representing a very wide background

and lots of skills. 38,000 people in the UK give time to be part of

the Armed Forces Reserves, the TA the largest of all of the reserve

18 representatives in all. Drawn from a wide geographical area.

Bases at Brize Norton, Northwood, and others. The Libyan campaign led

by NATO, involvement started in February. Then there was the

British part of that NATO mission. Servicewomen of the Royal Air Force,

The Royal Air Force Police. Princess Mary's Royal Air Force

Nursing Service. Women-only until The Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Ten

representatives led by Flight Lieutenant Claire Hodges. The Royal

Air Force Volunteer Reserve with The Merchant Navy. Ten

representatives of the service whose losses and sacrifice were not

properly recognised for many years. Five Merchant Navy Veterans

accompanied by five Merchant Navy Cadets. We have Leonard Dibb-

Western, who is 86, George Wright, also 86, who survived two torpedo

The Royal British Legion and the Civilian Services. The people who

do so much of the hard work collecting money, the poppy

collectors. The appeal launched on 27th October this year, already on

target to hit the record sum of �40 million. The Civilian Services

including St John's Ambulance, the British Red Cross Society, the

Metropolitan Police bringing the On 17th of September 2010,

I was in checkpoint. Sergeant Dipprasad Pun was in

a checkpoint on the outskirts of a village called Rahim Kalay,

which had previously been a bit of a Taliban stronghold.

And suddenly I had seen the two Taliban.

What he didn't know, of course, is that what he'd seen was actually

two of a large group of Taliban who were already in position,

poised to attack him and his checkpoint.

Firing started coming from all around him.

Effectively, for the next 15 minutes or so he fought off several

waves of attack. I was thinking at that time I was

alone and there were many and they definitely...they

definitely were going to kill me. He just stood there and they were

not going to get past him, and he obviously just decided that

for himself, and he put himself in incredible

danger to be able to do that. He was awarded the Conspicuous

Gallantry Cross, which is second only to the Victoria Cross,

and an absolutely just recognition of what he did that night.

I'm really proud to be in the Gurkhas because my grandfather and

my father were also Gurkhas, and I'm really proud to get

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The service begins. Tonight's # Sing to the Lord

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# Him serve with fear # For why?

# His truth at all times # And shall

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# The God The Prayers are led by the National

Chaplain to the Royal British We are here in the presence of God

to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives,

in world wars and conflicts past and present,

have been given and taken away in the cause of justice and freedom,

to pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain,

continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror,

and for the Royal British Legion in its ministry of care and support

for them, and to commit ourselves, young and

old, to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the

nations of our troubled world - that, under God, people of every

race and creed may be at peace. These thoughts and prayers

we offer to God in the words Our Father who art in heaven,

Thy will be done on earth Give us this day our daily bread,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory

forever and ever.

Amen.

The

The first

The first Reading

The first Reading from the Book of Psalms is by the First Sea Lord,

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills - from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh even from the Lord - who hath made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved - and he that keepeth thee

will not sleep. Behold, he that keepeth Israel -

shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is thy keeper -

the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand,

so that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil - yea, it is even he that

shall keep thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going

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out, and thy coming in - We give thanks for Our Sovereign

Lady, Queen Elizabeth, Patron of the Royal British Legion,

for her unstinting devotion to duty and her unswerving commitment to

the service of all her peoples. Grant that she may be so

strengthened by God's grace and guided by his spirit,

that, following in the way of Christ with her whole heart,

she may at the last come into his We pray for those upon whom the

responsibilities of government are laid, and for all who,

through positions of influence and authority,

serve the well-being of this nation, the Commonwealth and the world.

Give them the courage and integrity always to do what is right,

that upholding honour and justice, and restraining evil and oppression,

they may enrich our common life and further the cause of goodness

We commend to God the men and women who serve today in the Royal Navy,

the Army and the Royal Air Force, and all who support them

in their mission at sea, on land and in the air.

Most especially at this time we pray for Her Majesty's forces

serving in Afghanistan. May they meet danger with bravery

and, facing whatever lies before them with discipline and loyalty,

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truly serve the cause of justice, Our second hymn is a patriotic

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# And her ways Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee

as thou deservest, to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing

we do your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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.

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When you go home, tell them of us and say -

Representing the youth of Britain, we have Saffron Stringer, who is

six, Dominic Bance, who is seven. Saffron's parents are both military

musicians. They will be expressing their thanks to the national

President of the Royal British Legion on behalf of all young

We present these poppies from children, to say thank you

to all those who gave their lives Ever-living God,

we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into

the peace of your presence. May that same peace calm our fears,

bring justice to all peoples, and establish harmony among the nations,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. The final hymn of this year's

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# The day thou gavest, Lord, # The voice of prayer

# So be it, Lord # Like earth's proud empires,

# Thy kingdom stands and grows forever

# Till all thy creatures own thy sway. #

# Sunset in the western sky

# Darkness falls o'er land and sea

# Praise, Lord, we raise to you

# This night and for evermore

# We think of loved ones near and far

BUGLE PLAYS

# We think of loved ones near and far

# And those who've fought the fight before

# Keep safe your people, Lord

# This night and for evermore

BUGLE PLAYS

# Keep safe your people, Lord

# This night and for evermore

# This night and for evermore. #

God

God grant

God grant to

God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest,

to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people,

peace and concord, and to us and all his servants

life everlasting, and the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you

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and remain with you always. The Parade will remove head-dress.

Remove... head-dress.

Three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen. Hip, hip...

ALL: Hooray! Hip, hip...

ALL: Hooray! Hip, hip...

ALL: Hooray! Replace...

That concludes the Festival of Remembrance of 2011 and this 90th

year of the Royal British Legion who the Royal Family have