Monday, June 06, 2011

John Travers Cornwell VC

Yesterday I attended the annual Parade and Church service in honour of John Travers Cornwell VC in Manor Park, E12.  The ceremony also commenarated the 90th anniversary of the The Royal British Legion. 

John (or Jack) was a local lad who joined the Navy without the permission of his parents and died aged 16 of wounds suffered in the Battle of Jutland in 1916.  He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the battle.  The youngest person in the Navy to receive such a reward.

There was about 100 people taking part in the Parade.  Some of the very old and frail veterans were carried by a minibus at the front of the march. They were followed by the Royal British Legion Band, British Legion banners, Legion members and supporters. Then three teams from Newham Royal Navy and Air Force Cadets.  The senior officer was the Newham Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel Mike Dudding and the Council was represented by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Andrew Baikie.

We marched to what I thought to be a very moving service at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Romford Road. During which we sang some beautiful hymns supported by an excellent Church Choir.  The Royal British Legion were (I think accurately) in the service compared to the biblical "Good Samaritans".  We were all aware of British troops currently fighting in Afghanistan and Libya. We then marched back to a reception at the British Legion headquarters in Church Street. 

I think I was most impressed by the Newham Navy and Air Force Cadets present.  Nearly all of them were even younger than Jack Cornwell when he had joined up. It is nowadays almost completely unimaginable to think that 16 year old were sent in such harms way on active service.

They had given up their Sunday to show respect not only to the good works of the Legion but also to a fellow Newham teenager from a very different but still relatively recent age who had paid the price of those in peril on the sea.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I PLAYED THE LAST POST AT JACK
CORNWALL GRAVE BEFORE THE SECOND
WORLD WHEN I WAS IN THE SEA CADETS
IN MANOR PARK,AND BEFORE I JOINED
THE ROYAL NAVY AS A BOY SEAMAN.

John Gray said...

Hi anon

you would have been very proud of the 2011 Newham Sea Cadets on parade that day.

Sarah Allen said...

I carried the banner representing Air Cadets for that parade, nice to know we're appreciated in our community! :)

John Gray said...

Well done Sarah, You did a great job as well at the parade. You are all a credit to our community.

:)

Not only as a former ATC cadet myself (2247 Hawarden and then Holywell 2480 Squadron)

Anonymous said...

It was indeed a fantastic parade and the cadets did Jackie proud. I myself have had the honour of playing last post for jack. In fact it is what kick started the unit to start froming a band so we can continie to pass down the traditions that are fast dissappearing. I would lime to welcome you and everyone to drop by and come and see the cadets and the work they get up too. We pride ourselves on having an open unit and theres always a cup of tea waiting and the chanve to swap tales. We're still in Vicarage Lane and celebrating out 70th year. I would be please to welcome you are anyone else who would like to visit aboard.
Yours aye,

Sub lieutenant (SCC) Adam Mendrys RNR
Unit telephone 0208 475 8886
Unit email newhamscc@hotmail.com

John Gray said...

Hi Adam

Happy birthday Sea Cadets! I will definitely take you up on that offer of a cup of tea.