Thai Trip 19 and Hong Khong School
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This years trip to Thailand consisted of four different components. The Remembrance Service in Bangkok, the Remembrance Service in Ubon, a visit to Hong Khong school and a visit to the Obators Office Khok Samran. The travellers stayed at the Silq Boutique Hotel whilst in Bangkok. On Sunday 10th November, the OCA group comprised of L/R Erwin James, Neville Wareham, David Allison, Neil Campbell, Gill Allison, John Hamnett, Mark Wareham and David Higgins. |
Our continued attendance of the British Embassy Remembrance Service Bangkok since 2015, means we are placed in the reserved seating along with the likes of diplomats and senior military guests. As we waited for other guests to arrive, Gill and Dave Allison engaged in conversation with an Australian naval officer who was resplendent in his tropical whites. During the conversation he revealed he was Captain Chris Smith but didn't reveal that he was actually the Australian DA and a very nice chap to boot. |
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Neil Campbell left us to join his fellow band members in warming up their tubes and skins. We could hear them in the not too far distance as they rehearsed their music. As we had time to fill we took to looking at the wreaths lined up waiting to be collected by the representative of each organisation it belonged to. We also wandered around the grounds taking in the surroundings. We took off our jackets as the heat was building and there was still some time to go before the service. We had arrived early as a contingency in case of a mishap on the journey. |
On our seats were two pamphlets. One for the Annual Service Of Remembrance and the other from The British Club. The order of service began with the Pipes and Drums of the British Club marching on accompanying the RBL Bangkok colours. A notable first at this years service was the attendance of two Gurkha pipers from Brunei. The Officiating Minister The Reverend Norman Jones took the service. The service progressed with hymns prayers and the reading of Psalm 121. Mr Robert Mann of the British Legion, recited the Exhortation. A young boy Luke Martin, representing future generations, |
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recited the words of the Kohima Memorial. The colours were lowered as the Last Post was played and the two minutes silence was impeccably observed during the Act of Remembrance. Reveille was played and the Buglers marched off. Then came The Laying of Wreaths. Mr Brian Davidson British Ambassador laid the first one followed by Colonel Roger Lewis, Defence Attache and Mark Bowling of the RBL. The Thai Military followed in groups of three. Embassies were next also in groups of three. Then it was the |
| turn of organisations (including OCA), societies, schools and private individuals. Neville Wareham laid our wreath this year and the Pipers played a lament as the wreaths were being laid. The Shrewsbury School Choir also sang during the laying of the wreaths which due to their numbers went on for quite some time. The hymn 'O God our help in ages past' was sung by the Choir then the Minister gave The Blessing. Finally the RBL Colours marched off accompanied by British Club Bangkok Pipes and Drums. |
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The Ambassador and VIP's led the rest of the attendees to the back lawn for light refreshments. Obviously as old hands we soon commandeered a prime spot and settled down to quench our thirst and ease our appetite. As you can see from the rollover, there was quite a queue for the refreshments. Luckily, after we'd grabbed our share there was enough left to go round.
Our day continued in the Black Swan. Later, a minibus to Suvarniphumi Airport enabled us to board the late Thai Smile flight to Ubon Airport.
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