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
To Coincide with the celebrations for the 80th Anniversaries of VE and VJ days the events surrounding the bi-monthly Page Turning of the Books of Remembrance have been changed. Below, in chronological order, are the upcoming changes :-
April 27th, Sunday – this is an additional Page Turning which will take the normal form of service but will be held at St Michael at the North Gate church on Cornmarket Street, Oxford (please note change of venue and day) at 10.30 am on 27th April. I’ve attached the list of names being read, below.
May 3rd, Saturday – this is to mark VE Day and will have 5 names from WW1, but also 10 names from WW2 and will be for men who gave their lives in actions across Europe. This will take place at Christ Church Cathedral as per normal. I’ve attached the list of names being read, below.
August 15th, Friday – this is an advance warning of an event to mark VJ Day where only soldiers who saw service in the Far East will have their names read. This is to take place at Christ Church Cathedral as normal and further details will be announced later. Consequently, there won’t be a Page Turning on 6 Sep.
Dates for 2025 are as below: –
4th January 2025 (Saturday)
1st March 2025 (Saturday)
27th April 2025 (Sunday) – at St Michael at the North Gate church on Cornmarket Street, Oxford
3rd May 2025 (Saturday) – a special service commemorating VE Day
12th July 2025 (Saturday)
15th August 2025 (Friday) – a special service commemorating VJ Day
6th September 2025 (Saturday) – canceled due to changes around the 80th Anniversaries of VE and VJ days.
11th November 2025 (Tuesday)
3rd January 2026 (Saturday)
A live stream video is available for people unable to attend these events with the link for Saturday, 1st March 2025 is – https://youtube.com/live/oj-WfhLYMJE?feature=share
Videos made at previous Page Turning events are still available to watch. The links to view are :-
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 Sunday, 27th April 2025 :-
First World War 1914-1918
Pte Charles Bertram Fowler | Killed in action at Battle of Selle, Nord, France on October 24th 1918, aged 22 |
Pte William Henry Franklin | Killed in action at Gillemont Farm, Somme, France on February 20th 1917, aged 23 |
Pte Emanuel Freeman | Killed in action at Battle of St Quentin, Aisne, France on March 21st 1918, aged 32 |
Pte George Freeman | Died of wounds (received near Noyon, Oise) at No 1 Aus Hosp, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France at Rouen on March 27th 1918, aged 25 |
Pte Frederick George French | Died of enteric fever (typhoid) at 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton, East Sussex on September 13th 1915, aged 22 |
2nd World War 1939-1946
L/Bdr Rupert Arthur Sefton Hendy | Died in captivity of beri-beri at Tarsao, Thailand on January 7th 1944, aged 39 |
Gnr Ernest Hodgson | Died onboard the Hofuku Maru when bombed by US carrier aircraft, 3 Mi off the west coast of the Philippines, in the West Philippine Sea, bound for Takao, Formosa on September 21st 1944, aged 26 |
Gnr James Hodgson | Died in captivity of dysentery and cholera at Chungkai camp, Thailand camp on June 15th 1943, aged 24 |
Gnr Peter Vernon Hornsby | Died of wounds in England (wounded – 17/11/1944 at Boxmeer, the Netherlands) on November 1st 1945, aged 26 |
Gnr Albert Horsfall | Died in captivity of malaria and beri-beri at Heito Camp #3, Taiwan on October 7th 1943, aged 23 |
Below, are listed the names which will be read out on Saturday, 3rd May 2025 :-
First World War 1914-1918
Pte Harold Alfred French | Killed in action at Rifle Wood, near Amiens, Somme, France on April 1st 1918, aged 22 |
Cpl Leonard Franklin Gale | Killed in action at Zouave Wood, Hooge, Ypres, Belgium on May 26th 1915, aged 30 |
Sjt George Vernon Gare, MM | Killed in action at Gillemont Farm, Somme, France on May 24th 1917, aged 28 |
LCpl Thomas John Gee | Died of wounds (received at Battle of Somme) at Meaulte, Hauts-de-France, France on October 8th 1916 age unknown |
Pte Roby Gibbs | Died of accidental injuries at Wallon Cappel, Nord, France on June 5th 1915, aged 31 |
2nd World War 1939-1946
Sgt Richard Houston | Killed in action near Greven, Munster, Germany on March 30th 1945, aged 32 |
Gnr Thomas Killoran | Killed in action near Uelzen, Germany on April 15th 1945, aged 33 |
Gnr Harry Leno | Died in England on November 12th 1940, aged 40 |
Gnr Jack Alfred Lewis | Died in England on April 5th 1941, aged 20 |
Gnr Arthur Roy Little | Died in England on February 3rd 1944, aged 23 |
Bdr Thomas Long | Killed in action near Uelzen, Germany on April 14th 1945, aged 36 |
Gnr Edward Isaac Maggs | Died in the Netherlands on April 7th 1945, aged 21 |
Lt Michael Hugh Lushington Mather, MC | Killed in action near Uelzen, Germany on April 14th 1945, aged 25 |
Gnr John Hutton McGhee | Died in England on April 18th 1941, aged 26 |
Bdr Alexander McIntyre | Killed in action near Greven, Munster, Germany on March 30th 1945, aged 34 |
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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