Remembrance services took place across the borough of Kingston on Thames on Sunday 9th November and Tuesday 11th November. In Chessington, CDRA attended the services at the War Memorial in Church Lane on Remembrance Sunday and at St Paul’s Church, Hook Road, on Armistice Day. As in previous years, it was an honour for CDRA to lay wreaths on behalf of the residents. CDRA chairman, Colin Punch, laid the wreath at the War Memorial, while CDRA executive committee member, Henry Jelley, laid the wreath at St Paul’s.
War Memorial, Church Lane
At the War Memorial in Church Lane, Reverend Nicholas Pye, vicar of St Mary’s, led a service of remembrance. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Mayor of Kingston, Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Party, Labour Party, Conservative Party, the Armed Forces, Royal British Legion, Royal British Legion Women’s Section, Metropolitan Police, Scouts, and Guides.
The story of Flight Lieutenant Paul Riches, DFC
A wreath was also laid by the niece of Flight Lieutenant Paul Riches DFC, who is buried in the graveyard of St Mary’s and whose name appears on the War Memorial. Reverend Pye told the story of navigator Flight Lieutenant Paul Riches DFC and pilot, Flying Officer Marek Ostaja-Slonski (Polish Air Force). They were members of the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. Reverend Pye explained that they were on a cross-country exercise testing newly fitted flaps when their plane crashed in Snowdonia, Wales. Both airmen were killed in the crash and are buried together at St Mary’s. Flight Lieutenant Paul Riches was from the local area, with his parents living in Chantry Road, Chessington. Read more about their story.
St Paul’s, Hook Road
At St Paul’s Church in Hook Road, wreaths were laid on both Sunday 9th and Tuesday 11th November. The service was led by Reverend Jen Houghton, who joined St Paul’s as vicar in October.
As well as the wreath from CDRA, the Metropolitan Police, 2nd Hook Brownies, 1st Hook Guides and The Royal British Legion laid wreaths.
Children from St Paul’s School had made wooden crosses, one for each person who died in the First World War and whose names are on the Memorial outside the Church. You can see the crosses in the photographs. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to include the children in our photographs.
