Friday – Abingdon Poppy Appeal Dance
Our Remembrance weekend began on Friday evening in Abingdon, where we were invited to take part in a Second World War–style charity dance organised by the Abingdon Royal British Legion in support of their Poppy Appeal.
We formed up at the entrance to meet and welcome guests as they arrived, helping to set the tone for the evening. Once everyone was inside, we carried out a short drill followed by a minute’s silence, marking the beginning of the event in a respectful and fitting way.
The rest of the evening was spent talking with visitors, answering questions, and posing for photographs. We had many conversations about the Home Guard, what it represented during the war, and how local volunteers played a vital role in Britain’s defence. It was particularly special to meet and speak with several veterans during the evening, whose stories and memories added real depth and meaning to the occasion.
Saturday – Aston Upthorpe WWII Celebrations
On Saturday, we were invited to display in Aston Upthorpe as part of the village’s Second World War celebrations. The event was excellently organised by the village and enjoyed strong local support throughout the day, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
Our display included a range of Home Guard kit and equipment, but one of the clear highlights was the air raid siren. Letting it rip proved extremely popular and drew plenty of attention, giving visitors a powerful sense of what wartime alerts might have sounded like.
We were also afforded a rare and much-appreciated opportunity to visit and climb the church tower. Several of us braved the rather rickety ascent up onto the leaded roof, which provided an outstanding viewpoint across the surrounding countryside. From that vantage point, it was easy to imagine how local Home Guard volunteers may have kept watch during the war, much as we know they did at nearby Blewbury.
Back at the display, we spent the day speaking with local residents about the Home Guard’s role in the area, sharing stories and learning more about Aston Upthorpe’s wartime experience. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and a fantastic example of community-led remembrance and local history.
Sunday – Remembrance Day
Remembrance Sunday began, as is our custom, with a walk to the grave of Tom Jewitt at St Mary’s Church, Newnham Murren. There, we held a short memorial parade and observed a minute’s silence at his graveside, honouring the ultimate sacrifice he made in 1940 (see his story here).
After a brief look around the church, we walked back to St. Mary Magdalene in Crowmarsh to participate in the Remembrance service. Two of our number formed a guard of honour on either side of the memorial at the lych gate, while the rest of the group stood proudly at attention throughout the service.
Following the laying of poppies and the close of the service, a busy and meaningful weekend was brought to a fitting end with a visit to a local public house for a Sunday roast and a few well-earned refreshments.
It was a full Remembrance weekend, combining reflection, community engagement, and living history, and one that reminded us why preserving and sharing these stories remains so important.
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