Warlingham and Sanderstead Remembrance

My four-year-old had only been a Squirrel for a couple of weeks when Remembrance day came around, and as a Squirrel they get the opportunity to walk from the scout hut to Warlingham Green for the Remembrance Day Ceremony, joining the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Rainbows and Guides. 

My wife took our daughter to a ceremony at All Saints Church in Sanderstead, and we headed up to Mint Walk in Warlingham.

Being only 4 and new to all this, Leo didn’t want to walk on his own. Then seeing the crowd of impressively dressed military personnel and musicians, he was nervous so I was allowed to walk with him, and as there were just another two Squirrels, he felt a bit alone. . We started the short walk to the Green with traditional pomp and ceremony.

I felt a little out of place, but the organisers were fantastic, so hand in hand we went. As we got closer and the crowd of people got bigger I expected us to peel off and take our positions somewhat away from the limelight….but no.... Wonderfully the Squirrels, being the smallest were shown through the crowd to the front…..the very front, with the Vicar, the soldiers and a very medalled veteran.... NOW I WAS OUT OF PLACE!!

Our first child Poppy was born a few days after remembrance Sunday and as a family remembering the sacrifice of those incredible people is still a struggle to comprehend. In fact, every time I have had the pleasure of valuing a home of an owner that had seen and experienced WW2, I was left in awe.

So here we were, hymn sheets in hand and part of something that I would normally watch with a coffee on the edge of the green. Now we were both nervous but when the names of the fallen were read out, some of them brothers, the nerves disappeared, and emotion set in. I sung every word, shed a few tears and held my boy’s hand tight and couldn’t help think how lucky I was to be born in the 70’s and how forever thankful I'll be for the families no longer here.

A few months on and he absolutely loves his Tuesday squirrels and I’m so glad, albeit a little selfishly, that he joined last year.