Comment by Harborough churches: At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them

A Remembrance Reflection by The Reverend John Morley (president, Market Harborough Royal British Legion)

Honouring Sacrifice

Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan Friar and Roman Catholic Priest in Poland at the time of the Second World War. To support Christians in his homeland after the Nazi invasion, he determined to publish a little magazine which quickly gathered a huge readership.

He was arrested as an “intellectual” and sent to Auschwitz in 1941 where he continued his priestly ministry among prisoners. After one of them escaped, another prisoner was chosen to forfeit his life as an example and deterrent.

Noting that this was a married man with children, Kolbe stepped forward to take his place and be put to death. After two weeks, on 14 August 1941, he was executed by lethal injection.

There are many other examples throughout history of others who have offered their own lives so that others may live, and supreme among them for Christians is Jesus himself. He once said, ”No one has greater love than this, to lay down your life for your friends.”

At this time each year, people around the world pause to honour the millions of men, women and children who died during the world wars and other conflicts of the 20th century. Most died in battle serving in the Armed Forces of their countries. This year the Royal British Legion is especially remembering those from Commonwealth nations who responded to the challenge to combat the

evils of fascism. Many died defending their homelands and others through enemy bombing of homes and factories.

This year, because of the coronavirus, there will be no parades or whole communities gathering at their local War Memorial. We are being encouraged to observe the Two Minute Silence at 11 o'clock this Sunday and on Armistice Day next Wednesday by standing in reflective silence at home, perhaps on our front door step.

In this way we can honour those who in times past gave their lives in order that their families and ours might life with freedom, justice and peace.

The war poet Laurence Binyon served as a medical orderly in France during World War 1. In 1918, he penned his moving poem “For the Fallen.” Out of his own experience he wrote of those who died:

“With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

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.”