SINGERS from Shorncliffe Military Wives Choir travelled to Belgium for a trio of performances commemorating soldiers who fought and died during the First World War.
The group, from Sir John Moore Barracks, Folkestone, put on its first performance by singing John Condon, a song about the youngest soldier to die in the conflict aged just 14, around his grave in Poelkapelle.
Choir member Karen Hewett said: “It was hard for us and the spectators to hold back the tears.”
The choir then performed In Flanders Fields at a dedication to Sergeant Joseph Lister VC, 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, at the very spot in Langemark where he displayed immense bravery by going ahead of his men to successfully silence an enemy machine gun post, causing 100 enemy soldiers to surrender.
Sergeant Lister’s great nephew Michael Handley was present for the occasion.
The day culminated with the choir singing In Flanders Fields and The Remembrance Song – written by its music director Sonia Priceat– during a Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, a monument built to honour soldiers that lost their lives but were never found.
Karen added: “To have the honour to sing for all those that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the country in which they paid will never be forgotten by any of us.”
If you are a wife or partner of a member of the British Forces and would like to join a choir, visit militarywiveschoirs.org, email info@militarywiveschoirs.org or call 0207 4639407.