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 2024 are as below: –
6th January 2024 (Saturday)
2nd March 2024 (Saturday)
4th May 2024 (Saturday)
13th July 2024 (Saturday)
7th September 2024 (Saturday)
11th November 2024 (Monday)
4th January 2025 (Saturday)
A live stream video is available for people unable to attend these events with the link for Saturday, 7th September 2024 is – www.youtube.com/live/kytnINd1gnM
Videos made at previous Page Turning events are still available to watch. The links to view are :-
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 September 2024 :-
First World War 1914-1918
Pte Thomas Dolloway | Killed in action near Villequier-Aumont, Aisne, France on March 26th 1918, aged 20 |
Pte Frederick John Dorsett | Killed in action at Gillemont Farm, Somme, France on April 19th 1917 (age unknown) |
Pte William James Dorsett | Killed in action at Ypres, Belgium on October 16th 1917, aged 27 |
Lt Lewis Dove | Died of wounds (received at Amiens, Somme) at Namps-au-Val, Somme, France on April 1st 1918. aged 45 |
Sjt Harry Vaughtigan Drake | Killed in action at Battle of St Quentin, Aisne, France on March 21st 1918, aged 21 |
2nd World War 1939-1946
Bdr James Gee | Killed in action in air raid at Fort Canning, Singapore on February 15th 1942, aged 36 |
Bdr Lewis John Gilham | Died in captivity of malaria and beri-beri at Kanchanaburi Thailand, on January 17th 1944, aged 23 |
Gnr Anthony Gillgunn | Died in England on August 8th 1941, aged 22 |
Pte Kenneth Edward Goodliff | Died in captivity at Kinsaiyok, Thailand on December 28th 1942, aged 33 |
Gnr Eric Gordon | Died in captivity of dysentery at Tha Makhan, Thailand on August 6th 1943, aged 23 |
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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