Mayor Photo: Steve Wood
The annual Canada Day Service in Folkestone which commemorates the 305 Canadian soldiers who died during WWI and are buried in the Shorncliffe Military Cemetery took place on Monday 1 July.
A memorial service takes place each year on or near Canada Day at the Canadian Servicemen’s graves at Shorncliffe, which is attended by local civic dignitaries, representatives from the Canadian High Commission and Canadian Provincial Governments, the local British Army Command, War Graves Commission and Veterans.
The Worshipful Town Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly, attended the service accompanied by the Councillors of Folkestone Town Council, Mr Geoff Miles DL, LCdr Mombourquette – representing the Canadian High Commission, officers from the Canadian Forces Detachment in the UK, representatives of The Royal Gurkha Rifles, members of local ex-service associations and their Standard Bearers and local dignitaries. The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas also paid tribute to the soldiers by
providing musical support for the service.
Organiser, Corporate Support Officer, Georgina Wilson said:
“Almost 300 children from 10 local schools were positioned by Canadian graves and laid posies on the graves, it was an amazing sight!”
Photo: Steve Wood
This tradition started over 100 years ago and the Mayor of Folkestone stated in 1927 that,
“As far as Folkestone is concerned, the ceremony should last as long as it is in the power of human beings to do so.”
This statement is strongly endorsed by all who participated in the ceremony.
The current Town Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly, thanked past and present Regiments based at Sir John Moore Barracks for their support in enabling the annual Canada Day Commemorations to continue and said:
“Let us all hope that we can continue this tradition for many, many years to come and pay tribute to the 305 Canadian Soldiers buried at the Shorncliffe Cemetery, providing some comfort to their relations in Canada who are unable to visit their graves.”