2017 Operation Sweet Pea Programme

OPERATION SWEET PEA Dedication and Unveiling of the Royal Navy & Royal Naval Association Seats

Tuesday 8 August 2017 The Living Memorial, White House Farm, Main Road, Rettendon, Essex CM3 8DL

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

RAYLEIGH BRANCH (No.5 Area)

Operation Sweet Pea WHAT IS OPERATION SWEET PEA? Operation Sweet Pea was the inspiration of Frances and Peter Theobald who in 2003, most generously gave ten acres of their farmland to create a living memorial for members of the Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice. Over 700 trees and many plaques and seats have since been installed. In 2014, an additional ten acres were released for further memorials.

In 2015, Vice Admiral John McAnally was invited to attend the unveiling of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Association memorials.

Vice Admiral McAnally had commended all those who contributed to bringing the project to fruition, especially Shipmate Alan Booth (RNA Rayleigh, Branch Secretary) and James Hammond (RNA Rayleigh, Branch Chairman) who had been the principal organisers and fundraisers.

Now in 2017, we are gathered to take part in the dedication of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Association Memorial bench seats for the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and S/M Alan Booth who sadly crossed the bar in April 2016.

National President: Vice Admiral John H S McAnally CB LVO 2

2015 Unveiling and Dedication

The dedication and unveiling of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Association Memorials took place at the Living Memorial, White House Farm, Rettendon, Essex.

The design and planning for this event went back to October 2014, from a patch of grass to a memorial in honour of Naval personnel killed in conflicts and wars since World War II and those who returned and found comradeship with others in the Royal Naval Association.

The Service of Dedication was led by the Reverend Canon Mike Lodge, Padre of RNA Rayleigh Branch. The Guest of Honour was Vice Admiral John McAnally, National President of the Royal Naval Association and he joined a gathering of 130 shipmates, families and guests, including 90-year-old Shipmate Doug Shelley, who had served in the Russian convoys.

The service commenced with a parade of 24 Standards, all from various RNA East Anglia branches and other service organisations, all being led by the Dagenham Girl Pipers.

Following the dedication of the two memorials, a poppy wreath was laid at each.

At the end of the service Alan Booth, RNA Rayleigh, Branch Secretary, thanked all for attending and asked that all remember these Memorials were here to visit and remember - it was not just for this day. It is as

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Fran and Peter Theobald have said of the whole area - A Living Memorial.

This Memorial project is very much a work in progress, with plaques and other items to be added.

Should any branch wish to take advantage of this, contact should be made to either Chairman S/M Jim Hammond or Secretary S/M Gary Daisley at RNA Rayleigh Branch (RNArayleigh@outlook.com).

We thank Frances and Peter Theobald not only for their gift of land - but also the ongoing commitment to maintain the site - as well as undertaking much of the manual work for this Memorial to be created.

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THE ASSEMBLY

The Dedication and Unveiling of Royal Navy and Royal Naval Association Memorial Seats 8 August 2017 11:00 The Arrival Disabled Parking – Please make your presence known to the marshals. Sufficient parking is provided for everyone adjacent to the Memorials. Tea and coffee will be available at the hut near the Memorials.

11:30 Standard Bearers briefing In the car park area adjacent to the Memorials.

11:45 Bugle Call Signals all guests to take up their seats in the seated area.

Guests to take their seats Dagenham Girl Pipers and Standard Bearers Take up position at assembly point adjacent to car park and Memorials.

11:55 Processional party to proceed to their seats: Commander Richard Pethybridge MA PGDipAN Royal Navy Chief of Staff, Naval Regional Command Eastern England.

Gary Daisley, Hon. Secretary, Rayleigh Branch.

The Venerable Mike Lodge, Archdeacon of Southend.

James Hammond, Chairman, Rayleigh Branch.

Guest of Honour: National President Vice-Admiral John McAnally CB LVO.

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ORDER OF SERVICE 12:00 Congregation stands March on of the Standards and take up position.

RNA Rayleigh Branch Chairman requests the Congregation to be seated. He welcomes all present and invites Vice Admiral McAnally to say a few words to be followed by Lt. Matthew Paterson on behalf of the Royal Navy

The Venerable Mike Lodge Archdeacon of Southend and Chaplain to the Royal Naval Association, Rayleigh

Bible Reading and Address Psalm 107:23-32

UNVEILING OF SEATS Vice Admiral John H S McAnally CB LVO Lt. Matthew Paterson RN

DEDICATION OF THE SEATS In this place of remembrance, we dedicate these seats as part of our commitment to the memory of the men of the Royal Navy who were lost in 1916 at the Battle of Jutland and to the memory of Alan Booth in recognition of his long standing commitment to the Royal Naval Association and service as Honorary Secretary of the Rayleigh Branch; in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

GUN SALUTE Bugler sounds the Last Post.

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THE EXHORTATION Standards Dip

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them” Response: “We

will remember them”

THE SILENCE At the end of the silence, the following dedication will be spoken: ”When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today”

THE REVEILLE IS SOUNDED Standards raise on the first note

WREATH LAYING Poppy wreaths will be laid at the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Association Memorials

PRAYERS We pray for Elizabeth our Queen, for the leaders of our nation, that they might have courage and insight and determination to defend the principles of freedom, love and tolerance.

We pray for all members of the armed forces, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return from combat.

We pray for the families, friends and colleagues of all the servicemen and women who have lost loved ones in the violence of war, that they may be given strength and peace.

We pray for all peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free; as we ask all of these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ.

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ACT OF COMMITMENT Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all mankind, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name, Guide us by thy Spirit, Give us wisdom; Give us courage; Give us hope; Now and always. Amen

THE BLESSING Almighty and Eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life; hear our prayers and thanksgiving for all whom we remember this day; with the hope of peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts; and the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you, throughout this day and evermore. Amen Rayleigh Branch Secretary Gary Daisley He will give thanks to all in attendance

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ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RNA NATIONAL STANDARD David Corrigan No.5 Area Standard Terry Barker •

Rayleigh: David Bishop

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Basildon: John Kingsley

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Brentwood: Nick Klos

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Dagenham: Mick Baker

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Harlow: V. Taylor

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Harwich: Ron Scutcher

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Ipswich: Alan Leech

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Maldon: Ian Cox

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Romford: Mick Gosling

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Southend-on-Sea: Alan Mott No.2 Area Standard Steve Champion

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Maidstone: John Cooper 10

GUEST ASSOCIATION STANDARDS ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Chelmsford) Danny Jones

ROYAL NAVAL PATROL SERVICE ASSOCIATION Brian Cox

ESSEX SUBMARINERS ASSOCIATION Mick Vanner

MERCHANT NAVY SCHOOL Mike Westhead

SUEZ VETERANS ASSOCIATION Monty Murrell

PARADE COMMANDER Steve Susans 11

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