Remembering those who returned

I shall be standing with head bowed at the historic lychgate at St Leonard’s, Sandridge. The wooden lychgate, dedicated in 1921, recalls those from the parish who died in the First and Second World Wars and is the setting for our Act of Remembrance.

There’s something very special about the Sandridge lychgate – something I’ve not seen in similar memorials across the country.

It’s that, in addition to recalling the names of those who tragically lost their lives in the two world wars, the lychgate also lists those who went out to fight in the First World War – and returned home. The roll of names is described as “a record of gratitude.”

The Vicar at the time had urged “that Sandridge may have the honour to send all its manhood out at duty’s call to serve the king and country.” And the men responded bravely, with 24 of them recorded on the lychgate as meeting their death.

I’m pleased that those who served and returned are also honoured. Many of them will have returned home injured or mentally scarred by the fighting.

So, on Sunday, I shall be remembering those that died, and continue to die in today’s conflicts. And I’ll also be recalling those who served but returned – never to be the same again.

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