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, 11th July 2026 is – https://youtube.com/live/NUJp6si5KVU

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

Saturday, 2nd May 2026 – https://www.youtube.com/live/doNe46ah254?si=NNR9hXEOaXW3UrD3

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, 5th September 2026 :-

First World War 1914-1918

Sjt Charles Frederick Hyde	Killed in action at Vlamertinghe, Ypres, Belgium on April 27th 1915, aged 29
Pte Walter Frank Jacques	Died of wounds at Rouen, France on April 15th 1918, aged 21 (received at Rifle Wood action)
Pte Alfred James Jarman	Killed in action at Battle of Amiens, Somme, France on August 12th 1918, aged 37
Pte Percy James Jefferies	Died of wounds, at Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France on November 22nd 1917, aged 42 (received at Ypres)
L/Cpl Hubert Holmes Jennings	Killed in action at Gillemont Farm, Somme, France on June 22nd 1917, aged 25

2nd World War 1939-1946

Gnr John Thomas Mason	Died in captivity at Nakon Paton, Thailand on July 30th 1944, aged 34
2/Lt Harold Thomas Jones May	Died in captivity at Kanchanaburi, Thailand on April 10th 1945, aged 30
Gnr Gilbert McCallum	Died in captivity onboard POW ship, bound for Takao, Japan on September 21st 1944, aged 26
Bdr Lawrence Wallace McGrevy	Died in captivity at Tha Makhan. Thailand on August 7th 1943, aged 33
Lt Harry McKie	Killed in action at west-bank of the Rhine near Duisburg, Germany on March 24th 1945, (age not known)

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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