Page Turning Ceremony – qooh.org.uk

Page Turning of the Books of Remembrance Ceremony

In conjunction with Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral authorities, the regimental trusts of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry and Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, hold a bi-monthly service of Page Turning. This is a very pleasant, but poignant occasion which involves turning the page of the respective Books of Remembrance (which are held in locked glass cabinets within the Military Chapel of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford) and reading out the names of officers and soldiers who have given their lives during both World War One and World War Two – 5 names for each war and regiment.

This short service is normally carried out in the Military Chapel within the Cathedral and takes place on a Saturday at 11am. Participants (nominated readers) are usually expected to be in place for 10.30am and anyone wishing to attend is advised to be early to claim one of the limited number of seats. Anyone who wishes to join with us, in remembering these gallant men, are very welcome, especially family members of the men whose name are being read. On some special days (such as the 11 November-Armistice day) the ceremony will be held in the main body of the cathedral. This usually brings a larger audience and the start time is usually 10.30am.

Wednesday, 11th November 2020 was one of these ‘special’ days when the service was carried out on a working day. It was extra-special in that it coincided with the lockdown, enforced by the Covid-19 virus, when the service was held without any congregation – just a select number of readers and Christ Church Cathedral ministers and organist. But the Cathedral authorities had thought about this and arranged for it to be filmed, then placed on YouTube for all to watch, see, and follow the service. To see this video click on this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP9icPouClM&t=1s

The Trustees of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry Trust, following a fund-raising event, had 3 Altar Kneelers manufactured for use in the Military Chapel. They were made in the colour of Mantua Purple with the Queen Adelaide Cypher embroidered upon them. At a previous Page Turning ceremony – 6th May 2017 – the kneelers were positioned at the altar and were then dedicated.

Future Dates and names to be read for the ceremonies

Dates for 2026 are as below: –

7th March 2026, Saturday

2^nd May 2026, Saturday

11^th July 2026, Saturday

5^th September 2026, Saturday

11^th November 2026, Wednesday

2^nd January 2027, Saturday

A live stream video is available for people unable to attend these events with the link for Saturday, 7th March 2026 is – https://youtube.com/live/bYUIMFABrO4?

Videos made at previous Page Turning events are still available to watch. The links to view are :-

Saturday, 1st March 2025 – https://youtube.com/live/oj-WfhLYMJE?feature=share

Saturday, 7th September 2024 – www.youtube.com/live/kytnINd1gnM

Saturday, 8th May 2021 – https://youtu.be/5goQQT71rT0

Saturday, 6th March 2021 – https://youtu.be/QeEYxsiA2zo

Saturday, 9th January 2021 – https://youtu.be/_O9jwYjCTMs

Below, are listed the names which will be read out on Saturday, 7th March 2026 :-

First World War 1914-1918

Sjt Alfred Hawtin	Died of wounds at Rifle Wood on April 2^nd 1918, aged 30
Pte Ernest Haycock	Died of disease in Syria on October 10^th 1918 (age unknown)
Pte James Henry Hersey	Gassed and died at Portsmouth on March 29^th 1918, aged 34
Pte Herbert George Hicks	Died of wounds at Rouen on April 10^th 1918, aged 38
Lt John Philip Higgs	Died of wounds at Namps-Au-Val on April 14^th 1918, aged 27

2nd World War 1939-1946

Gnr John Law	Died in captivity at Tonchan South camp on July 21^st 1943, aged 25
Dvr Robert Oswald Lionel Lawson	Died in captivity at Thanbaya on September 10^th 1943, aged 23
Bdr Charles Francis Lawrence	Died in captivity at Nong Pladuc on January 31^st 1944, aged 24
Gnr Frank Leech	Died in captivity at Heito on July 18^th 1943, aged 31
Gnr William George Lees	Died in onboard POW ship on September 21^st 1944, aged 24

Anyone who wishes to join with us, in remembering these gallant heroes, are very welcome, especially family members of the men whose name are being read. Those wishing to attend are advised to be early to claim one of the limited number of seats.

The location for Christ Church Cathedral (beyond the college entrance), St Aldates, Oxford.

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