ANZAC REMEMBRANCE... 2025 

                Our first year as ANZAC REMEMBRANCE Charity

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We gathered beneath the clear blue skies of Sunday 27th April, ceremoniously waiting among some 1,100 graves of Commonwealth aviators who died in the Yorkshire vicinity during World War II.  To the accompaniment of Harrogate Band, Royal Air Force and Navy cadets slow marched towards the Stone of Remembrance, took their place and waited.    

In opening the ceremony, ANZAC REMEMBRANCE Trustee Mr. Richard Barrett made his address to His Majesty the King’s representative The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Mrs. Jo Ropner, the Charter Mayor of Harrogate, the Mayor and Mayoress of Withernsea, distinguished military guests and members of the public. 

“Today we gather here, in the tranquillity of Stonefall Cemetery, to specifically honour 97 Australian and 23 New Zealand aviators who are buried around us. But we are also here to pay homage to all ANZAC Defence Force personnel who are interred in so many countries around the world” Mr. Barrett began. “We are here to remember and honour fallen comrades, fathers, grandfathers, husbands, children and friends who came from the far reaches of the globe to fight for peace.  They were not destined to return home to their mothers, fathers, wives, girlfriends and children who had waved them off on their journey, smiled and kissed them goodbye, knowing deep down that they would probably never see them again. Their loss would never, ever be healed.” And then, to the solemn and moving strains of I Vow to Thee My Country, singer Jo Dexter led the assembled crowds into the ANZAC REMEMBRANCE ceremony.

Between each address offered by Air Officer North, Air Commodore Adam Sansom on behalf of the Royal Air Force, Squadron Leader Stephanie Medcalf of the Royal Australian Air Force and Flight Lieutenant Nathan Knight of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, we looked towards the blue skies where these aviators flew, as we sang Waltzing Mathilda and listened with emotion as Jo Dexter filled the afternoon air with Po Karekare Ana. In the speeches, there was mention of duty, of honour, of love and the ultimate sacrifice paid by these very young men.

Flanked by standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Association and flags of Australia and New Zealand held by RAF cadets, Gareth Gibbs (retired) of the Welsh Guards offered the Ode of Remembrance before 22 wreaths were laid by dignitaries, military officials and representatives from other associations.  

Before the sound of the piper in full regalia and playing Amazing Grace was heard from the corner of the Commonwealth War Grave,  ANZAC REMEMBRANCE Chair of Trustees Kate Spencer gave her address, which included a message from Mayor Tory Whanau of Wellington, New Zealand. Recalling in particular Alfred Lockyer from Wellington, pilot of the last Lancaster bomber to be shot down by the Luftwaffe, just weeks before the end of the war in Europe, Kate informed the assembled crowds that once assigned to an operational squadron, the average life expectancy of any aviator was just six weeks.

“Alfred was just 23 years old, was buried on the 23rd March 1943 and was the last of the 23 New Zealanders to be buried in Stonefall” explained Kate who finished her address by speaking of pilot George Bell from Greymouth in the South Island of New Zealand who died in his Halifax bomber named JILL.  With him on that flight was his Air Gunner David Walton from Sydney whose daughter’s name had been assigned to the Halifax. “David’s wife later took the option of adding an inscription to her husband’s gravestone. It reads… DARLING I LOVE YOU SO MUCH…NO POWER IN DEATH CAN TEAR OUR LOVE APART.  George and David are buried next to each other.  ANZACS – side by side.” The ceremony closed with the National Anthems and departing crowds were offered ANZAC biscuits that had been home cooked.

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In attendance on this day to lay wreaths were... 

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• His Majesty the King's Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire - Mrs. Jo Ropner

• The Charter Mayor of Harrogate – Councillor Chris Aldred

• Monika Slater - Representing the M.P. for Harrogate & Knaresborough - Tom Gordon

• On behalf of the New Zealand High Commission - Kate Spencer

• On behalf of the Royal Air Force - Air Officer North, Air Commodore Adam Sansom 

• On behalf of the Australian Defence Force – Squadron Leader Stephanie Medcalf

• On behalf of the Royal New Zealand Air Force - Flight Lieutenant Nathan Knight

• On behalf of the United States Space Force - Colonel Justin Hodge

• On behalf of the French Air & Space Force - Colonel Emmanuel Emond

• On behalf of The Royal British Legion - Mike Comerford & Associates

• On behalf of North Yorkshire Constabulary - Chief Constable - Tim Forber

• On behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Gareth Hardwar

• On behalf of ANZAC REMEMBRANCE - Trustee Jacqueline Perry K.C.

• On behalf of Harrogate International Partnerships - Dennis Richards O.B.E. 

• On behalf of Soroptimist International Harrogate - President Sheila Ince

• The Mayor of Withernsea & Rimswell - Ian Blackburn

• In remembrance of RNZAF Pilot Alfred Lockyer from Wellington - Jean Everson

• On behalf of Timaru Boys High School for Pilot Denis Kyne - Trustee Alan Chivers 

• In remembrance of his Australian grandfather Private L.S.Fitz-Alan - Jake Rundle

• On behalf of 57/630 Squadron in remembrance of RNZAF aviators - Mike Wood​​​​​​​​​