who gave
their lives on
8 November 1941
Held at
Royal Air Force Scampton 19 May 2007
OUR HERITAGE
We are met together in the presence of God, to give thanks for the men of the
Royal Air Force; for those whose wisdom and foresight laid a foundation for
peace, and for those who served with courage and fortitude.
Especially we give thanks today for those who flew in Handley Page Hampden P1206
of 49 Squadron; we pray that we may have such dedication and devotion to duty,
that neither the loving kindness of God, nor the heroism of those who flew and
fought may have been in vain.
In recognising our heritage we acknowledge a great debt to those who have gone
before.
PRAYER
O Lord our God, creator and redeemer of all, we thank you for the sacrifice
of those who gave their lives as the price of our freedom. By His death on the
cross, as an oblation for our sin, we call to mind the once for all sacrifice
of Jesus Christ our Lord, and we acknowledge that the way of freedom is always
costly. Instil in us the same commitment to serve, not in worldly service for
earthly reward, but in an act of spiritual service that is good and pleasing
unto you; In the Name of Christ, Amen.
A READING FROM SCRIPTURE
Micah 4:2-3
Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God
of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For
out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall
judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
ACT OF COMMEMORA TION
We remember the crew of Hampden P1206:
Warrant Officer Christopher Saunders, Sergeant James D'Arcy, Sergeant John (Jack)
Kehoe, Sergeant Stanley Mullenger.
FLYPAST
SILENCE
Act of Commemoration
Let us remember before God, and commend to his keeping: those who have died
for their country in war; those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who lived and died in the Service.
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.
We will remember them.
Prayer of Commemoration
Almighty God, maker of all that is good, we offer you our thanks this day for
all who have lived and died in the service of mankind. Remind us of our calling
to follow their example of love and service; in the name of God; Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, Amen.
AFTER RED'S DISPLA Y
Prayer
Gracious God, whose concern is always for your people, grant that this day may
be a remembrance of the sacrifice made by the mÉm of Hampden P 1206,
of the Royal Air Force and of all the Allied Nations. Cause this and every generation
to be ever conscious of and eternally grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, and
to think with gratitude, of those whose loyal service set us free. Amen.
Memoriam
For these men and all who flew from Royal Air Force
Scampton, we acknowledge their commitment, their valour. Today we think of everyone
who mourns the loss of one so deeply loved and our prayer is that they might
know peace.
For many here present though we may say I never knew him, yet we too share a
sense of respect and owe a debt of gratitude to those who paid the ultimate
price. They gave their lives that we might be free.
Robert F Kennedy said: It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance.
THE POEM 'SKY OVER HOLLAND'
Ed IJsbrandij
Sky over Holland
When I look at the sky
over Holland at night,
The blue dome and the stars are tranquil and bright.
It is peaceful and still, not a sound to be heard
But the rustling of leaves and the cry of a bird.
Not a bomber, no fighters
on high any more,
And no criss-crossing searchlights as in days of war.
All is peaceful and still, for the Germans ha ve gone,
For the battle for freedom was finally won.
When we sat in the path
of the bombers at night,
We felt anxious but glad for, their every flight
Brought nearer the day when the Germans would flee,
When the war would be over, and we would be free.
We all prayed with great
fervour and often cried out
"Oh Lord keep them safe, let them quickly dive out
Of the crossroads of searchlights high up in the sky,
And please - save their lives God - Oh don't let them die"
The young children prayed:
"Send us so many planes
That the sparrows can't fly and must walk in the lanes".
And the parents prayed: "Please, let them soon free us all
From the Teutons' mad fury that holds us in thrall."
Though so many were lost
in the terrible fight,
While we prayed and watched anxiously many a night,
Their endeavours and courage have not been in vain,
For by them and their comrades, the Germans were slain.
When I looked at the
sky over Holland last night,
The blue dome and the stars were all tranquil and bright.
There is peace, no more sirens, Ihear a bird call;
Oh we thank you dear airmen - may God bless you all.
By Maria Ten-Horn,
Kerkweq,
Heelsum, Holland.
May 1979 Air-Gunners' visit to Arnhem.
Sent by Air-Gunner K. Rendall.
FROM AN ORATION BY PERICLES (Athenian Statesman and Military Commander Circa
495-425 BC)
Sheila Hamilton
Each one, man for man,
has won imperishable praise, each
has gained a glorious grave.
Not that sepulchre of earth wherein they lie, but the living tomb
of everlasting remembrance wherein their glory is enshrined.
For the whole earth is the sepulchre of heroes;
monuments may rise and tablets be set up to them in their
own land, but on the far-off shores there is an abiding
memorial that no pen or chisel has traced; it is graven, not on
stone or brass, but on the living heart of humanity.
Take these men as your example. Like them remember that
prosperity can only be for the free; that freedom is the sure
possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE PRAYER
O Lord our governor, who has given men dominion over the earth, air and sea,
we ask you to look upon your servants, who are called to s,erve their country
in the Royal Air Force; give them courage, a steady nerve and a ready mind.
Be with themall in times of peril, make them know your power and save them from
evil.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will
be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us
from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever,
Amen.
THE PEACE
Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We
meet in His Name and share His peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
BLESSING
God is the constant companion of those who seek mercy and
justice. May the blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you
always, Amen.
Go in peace, in the power of the Spirit, to live and work to God's praise and
glory, Amen.