7th Armoured Division Thetford Forest Memorial

65th Anniversary of the Battle of Alamein

24th October 2007

A Commemoration in the presence of 

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall

 

Pictures of the event including Aerial Images (page 4 onwards) from Higher View Aerial Photography Ltd are now available

Announcement on the official Site for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall concerning her patronage for the association

 

Video files from Local TV stations are available from:

BBC Look East (Second item in this bulletin from 24th October 2007. Timer for the start of the clip = 00:56)

ITV: Anglia (Third item in this bulletin from 24th October 2007. Timer for the start of the clip = 07:50)
Press article from Bury Free Press Press article from Yahoo News

 

Programme

 

1100

 

 

Arrival of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall 

accompanied by the President of the Association

 
 

The Royal Salute

(All spectators stand)

 

1105

 

 

Her Royal Highness inspects the Guard of Honour 
1st Royal Tank Regiment 

 

1110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation of civil dignitaries by

The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk

       High Sheriff of Norfolk

       Chairman of Breckland council

       Member of Parliament

       Chief Constable of Norfolk 

 

Presentation of the members of the Association

committee and Trustees by the President 

 

1115

 

 

Service of Remembrance

conducted by Bishop Langstaff Bishop of Lynn and the Rev David Hanwell

 

1130

 

 

 

 

 

Her Royal Highness lays a wreath at the Memorial

Last Post

One-minute silence

Reveille (bugler Mr Bill Wells)

And then views the Memorial 

 

1140

 

Her Royal Highness greets members of the Public

 

1155

 

 

 

 

March Past

Pipes and Drums 1st Royal Tank Regiment

The Guard of Honour

Wartime Desert Vehicles

 

1210

 

 

 

 

Visit to the Nissen hut Museum

Views wartime camp buildings and plaques

 

(Spectators move to lunch marquee)

 

1225

 

Visits wartime vehicles 

 

1245

 

 

Lunch in marquee

meets old comrades and war veterans 

 

1325

 

 

Visits Mr Les Dinning's Commemorative

bench met by Mrs Frances Dinning

 

1330

 

Her Royal Highness departs

 

 

Some Pictures kindly provided by members of the public after the event

Pipers of 1st RTR Marching the Parade into position HRH The Duchess of Cornwall arriving in Monty's old staff car HRH The Duchess of Cornwall inpecting the Guard of Honour
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall inpecting the Guard of Honour The Guard of Honour Some of the El Alamein veterans
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall laying a wreath of Poppies at the Division's Memorial HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at the Division's Memorial The Standards are lowered during the 'Last Post'.
Sherman Tank, called 'Fury' during the parade of veteran vehicles, passed the veterans and other guests. Veterans catching up on old times Veterans

Time for a well earned cup of tea!

Veterans, Modern Day Service personnel and guests look at the displays

 Band members, Dignitaries and service personnel relax after the days events

A picture of a very busy time at Memorial Association's tent.

Scene outside the 'Mess Tent', where the Veterans enjoyed a hot buffet lunch and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall spent time meeting each and every one of them.

Inside of the 'Mess Tent' after the lunch. More to time to chat and reflect on the events of 65 years ago and on those of the commemoration day.

Tent on the left is where HRH Duchess of Cornwall and the Veterans and guests sat during the service. The memorial is in the distance.

The Poppy Wreath laid at the memorial by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

The Divisional Memorial

Professional Standard photographs of the event are available for purchase from the memorial association. Please click here to view the proofs and to find out how to buy them.

 

Floreat Jerboa

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