May 16, 2025HTBS

Old Comrades On Parade: Part III, The Memorial Service

Following the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association’s March Past in front of Hyde Park’s Cavalry Memorial – where the salute was taken by Prince Edward – participants and supporters gathered around the park’s nearby bandstand from which a memorial service for cavalrymen killed since 1914 was conducted.

16 May 2025

By Tim Koch

The surrounding trees provided welcome shade from the bright sun.
Hymns included “O Valiant Hearts”.
The service was conducted by the Chaplain-General, The Reverend Michael Parker.
“In Pensioners” from the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Members of the Blues & Royals and The Life Guards.
More “Chelsea Pensioners”.
The various regimental associations’ banners surrounded the bandstand.
Particularly moving was the reading of part of For the Fallen (They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…)
The reading was followed by two equally emotional performances, the sounding of the Last Post and then the lament, Flowers of the Forest, played by a lone piper.
Serving members of the Blues & Royals.
The most important event in the Cavalry calendar is over for another year.

2 comments

  1. In the fourth image it is worth mentioning that the five children with the Rev Canon Michael Parker, in their distinctive red livery, are Children of the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace. Can anyone enlighten me as to what was their role on this occasion??

    Reply

    • Hi Teresa,

      They were the Chapel Royal Choir. They did not have a any solo pieces, I suppose that they were just adding some substance to the singing.

      Best wishes,

      Tim

      Reply

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