Banstead Village

Wreaths and messages at this year's Service (2024)

Banstead Remembrance Sunday Service

The usual large crowds gathered at the Banstead War Memorial for this year’s Remembrance Day Service. The dull weather did not deter the people of Banstead who come out every year to remember the Fallen of their village.

While the British Legion standard bearer stood to attention the minister reminded those present of the reason everyone had come together. The Last Post preceded the two-minute silence. Laurence Binyon’s well-known words “They shall not grow old . . .” were followed by the laying of wreaths, the first of which was presented by the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Eddy Humphreys.

Two hymns were sung and the minister read from the New Testament. The ceremony finished with a rendition of the Kohima Epitaph and The National Anthem.

Members of the crowd gathered afterwards to read the personal message on the wreaths and crosses and speak to members of Banstead History who were able to respond to questions about the men listed on the memorial as well as the history of the monument and its surroundings.


NOTE FROM LNW: If you have a question on this topic, post it below and we will do our best to answer it. We have published two books, one on the men listed and the second on the history of the memorial so we have accumulated a lot of knowledge on this important bit of local history.