Wreath Layers.
Bert Elson
November is of course a busy time of year for members of the Royal British
Legion wherever they might be, including Thailand. Planning, however, starts
many months before that. We were involved with three Remembrance Services this
year and four events.
First, we attended Remembrance Services at the British Embassy on 4th August to
commemorate 100 years since the start of WWI; then 9th November for Remembrance
Sunday and on 11th November we held our own Service of Remembrance at
Kanchanaburi War Graves, and we also held a Wreath Laying Ceremony at Chung Kai
War Graves the same day.
As far as events go, we held our Annual Poppy Golf Tournament in aid of the
Poppy Appeal and Thai Veterans on 7th November; we also held another Remembrance
Tournament in Kanchanaburi on 10th November for the Poppy Appeal. Both days
produced fine golf, fine weather and fine results for both the winners and the
Poppy Appeal.
Members arriving for the Kanchanaburi Service.
Many of you will be aware of the war graves in Kanchanaburi and the Thai/Burma
Railway, or Death Railway as many people refer to it. The history of the two war
grave cemeteries in Kanchanaburi really starts south and north of there.
South to Singapore where most of the POWs forced to work on the Railway
travelled from, and north up to Three Pagodas Pass where most of those who died
were initially buried in POW camps along the railway. They were moved to
Kanchanaburi after the war (those killed on the Burma side of the railway are
buried in Thanbyuzayat War Graves).
Event Organiser Bert Elson (left) with Head of
Catering Greig Ritchie (right).
Over a period of 10 days before our service on 11th November, 3 members of the
Royal British Legion Thailand Branch covered the length of the railway. Bruce
Lancaster, a member of our Thailand Riders International, rode his motorbike
from Pattaya to Singapore. He then travelled from Singapore through Malaysia,
and Southern Thailand following the route of the railway wherever possible up to
Three Pagodas Pass, then travelling back to Kanchanaburi, arriving in time for
the Remembrance Service on 11th November, a total distance travelled of around
5,100K.
Starting from Three Pagodas Pass, 2 former members of the Parachute Regiment,
Richard Stacey and Gary Grant, walked, again along the route of the railway
wherever possible, to the Bridge Over the River Kwai, a total of around 300K
over some very hilly terrain. It was at time very hard going and they went
through the pain barrier a number of times. One of the guys had severe foot
problems but would not give in. They arrived at the Bridge bloodied but proud on
10 November at 4.30pm. You can still donate to this event at
http://braveheart-programme.com/death-railway-320km-challenge/
The rider and walkers did their respective challenges for two reasons, respect
for those who are buried in the two war graves in Kanchanaburi and to raise
funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Four Ambassadors and the Governor of Kanchanaburi,
the first event for Thailand’s new Irish Ambassador Brendan Rogers.
As well as all the events, our Poppy teams have been out and about throughout
Thailand. We put boxes out during the last week of October and collected them in
again from 12th November. Early reports are looking good.
All money raised from Poppy boxes and donations goes to the Poppy Appeal, money
raised through Poppy Golf is split between the Poppy Appeal and Thai Veterans
Hospital. Last year we spent 826,822 baht on UK veterans who were in need in
Thailand.
All of these services and events need funding and we would like to thank the
many sponsors and individuals who helped us this year, including MBMG, Pattaya
Realty, Manpower Group, Twinning’s Tea, Royal Bank of Scotland, Rolls-Royce, BAE
Systems, Prime Foods Pattaya, Singha, British Embassy Bangkok, Defence
International Security Services, 1 More Bar and the Commonwealth War Graves Team
Kanchanaburi. We would also like the thank Rodney Charman for taking all the
photos, and schools supporting our WWI project, St Andrews Green Valley, Regents
Bangkok, Shrewsbury Academy, Harrow and Bromsgrove Bangkok.
You still have time to donate, there is always a Poppy Box in Tropical Bar Soi
Khao Noi or Tropical Bert’s Soi 6/1.
Wreaths at the River Kwai ready to lay.
The Pipe Band.
Students from Regents Pattaya play Last Post at
Chung Kai War Cemetery.
International Schools with the British Ambassador.
Poppy Shop doing brisk business.
The walkers Richard Stacey and Gary Grand finish at
the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Lone Rider Bruce Lancaster after his 5,000K ride.
Rev’d Tim Eady arrives in style.
