Sunday 16th November 2008. A word of explanation to my non-Jewish friends. Anyone who has read any articles of mine that mentions the name of AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex-Serviceman & Women) may be puzzled to know why that organisation feels it necessary to hold a separate service to that organised by the British Legion which is normally held on the nearest Sunday to November 11th. The answer is fairly simple. The British Legion Service of Remembrance is attended by HM The Queen and other members of the Royal Family and the service, conducted by the Bishop of London, is based on Church of England practices. The AJEX service, always on the following Sunday, is led by Jewish ministers, including the Chief Rabbi, and offers the marchers and the congregation an opportunity to recite the Jewish Kaddish (mourning prayer) in honour of the fallen. Notwithstanding the above, a small representative contingent of AJEX do take part in the main British Legion parade, including the march past and a laying of a wreath, and the Chief Rabbi also attends, as do other inter-denominational clergy. As I have done for the last sixty years I attended today's parade and met up with old comrades. Despite the early rainfall I would estimate that over a thousand ex-serviceman were on parade. Also on parade was my old friend Lew who shared a wireless truck with me over sixty five years ago !
Once a year, on the following Sunday after the British Legion National Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, AJEX hold their Annual Parade and Remembrance Service. I have been going to this Parade since November 1947 and think that I have missed only two parades. This year, on the 15th of November, we were blessed with fine weather and I would estimate that at least 1500 veterans marched to the Cenotaph. I managed to sneak a few photos and included in those shown below are my fellow wireless-op Larry Fox, my better half, Nita and one of my old club friends Donnie Carlton sporting his hard won MM.
I have been going to this Parade since November 1947 and think that I have missed only two parades. Blimey, Ron that's good going. How did Ronnie win his MM ?
Owen Read all about it here: BBC - WW2 People's War - Cambridge and Bethnal Green Boy's Club, The club that produced heroes Ron
Owen Read all about it here: BBC - WW2 People's War - Cambridge and Bethnal Green Boy's Club, The club that produced heroes Ron cheers Ron, this'll be him then. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Carlton, Donald Rank: Rifleman Service No: 6969913 Regiment: 10 Battalion The Rifle Brigade Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944 Drew, he'd be a Battalion Signaller, Army Number is RB , The Rifle Brigade 6905001 - 6972000
Cheers Owen I checked on my RCS Nominal Roll of awards and he wasn't there so thought as much. As with all citations its great to read his and put a face to it. Regards Andy
Ron On your lapel, you are wearing a IV th badge, one I am not familiar with. What is this, please? Thanks. Well done on turn out for parades, mate. Impressive. cheers, phil
Rob So you did'nt get the new poppy then? Cheers Rob Well spotted that man ! The joke is that I wasn't able to get hold of a new one and the poppy you see is the original one I've been wearing for the last XXXXXX years and, just like Nita's sweetheart badge, it is kept in my medal bag. Please don't fret though,,,,,,,,,,,, my charitable contributions were up on last year's Phil Ron On your lapel, you are wearing a IV th badge, one I am not familiar with. What is this, please? Thanks. Well done on turn out for parades, mate. Impressive. cheers, phil Go have a look here: 4th Queen's Own Hussars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Thought I'd post a few more pics. This year my local branch of AJEX were in No.1 Battalion (chosen by yearly rotation) and so I got a prime position immediately in front of the Cenotaph. Just in case someone is concerned about my taking snaps during a parade I point out that my camera is tiny and unobtrusive and I never use flash. I also choose the right moment to take these pics. If you look carefully you can see the AJEX wreath with it's Shield of David motif and the RAF band playing the haunting Nimrod.
Ron On your lapel, you are wearing a IV th badge, one I am not familiar with. What is this, please? Thanks. Well done on turn out for parades, mate. Impressive. cheers, phil Phil, When I enlarged the photo it states Queens own Hussars. (I see that Rons already replied) Regards Tom
Thanks Ron, and Tom. Proud history to your Regiment, lad. Thanks for the link. I had left my Kipling and Kings at the office so didn't have my picture reference book, but thought I should know it. Didn't think to download and enlarge, Tom. cheers, phil