Our annual St George’s Day Service took place on Tuesday 23 April 2024 in Chichester Cathedral. What was pleasing was the increase in numbers this year with well over 200 people attending, and it was good to see QRA and Fusilier members attending. This is to be encouraged as we are one regimental family. The service was conducted by The Reverend Canon Vanessa Baron, Treasurer, Chichester Cathedral and The Reverend Canon Simon Holland, Interim Dean. The service was preceded by a procession of the clergy, followed by the chalice containing the ashes of the Queen’s and Regimental colours of the 1st Battalion, 35th Foot 1859–1928. These were carried by Robert Piper Légion d’honneur, and John White President Chichester Branch, our two oldest veterans, they were followed by eight Standards from the Royal Sussex Regimental Association, one from the Queen’s Regimental Association and the No. 7 Chichester Detachment Sussex Army Cadet Force Standard. The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment were invited, but sadly could not attend. On arrival at the Chapel, the Standards took post and the chalice containing the ashes was placed on the altar of the Chapel of St George. Midway through the service, the Committal of the ashes took place, with the Verger, retrieving the chalice and interring them beneath a flagstone within the Chapel. Last Post was played when the ashes were interred with Reveille being played after the silence. This was a very unusual part of the service and very rare as, when colours which have been laid up are no longer deemed viable by the MOD, the remains have to be cremated along with the pikes, the finials may be retained. The ashes then must be interred in unmarked, consecrated ground. Guests of the Royal Sussex Regimental Association included: The Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, The High Sheriff of East Sussex, The Mayor of Chichester, The Town Clerk of Chichester , The Head Archivist from West Sussex Record Office, the Armed Forces Champions from East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, The Regimental Secretary and Deputy Secretary PWRRA, The Regimental Secretary QRA and Maj Andrew Greenwood from MOD, who was the witness to the interment, he will now strike the colours from the MOD list. At the end of the service, the departing music was of course ‘Sussex- by-the-Sea’. All participants were invited back to the Assembly Rooms in the Council House, North Street, Chichester, for a reception hosted by the Association.
All the photographs below are credited and copyright of James Grindel.
