Above: the Gurkha trainees and Corporal Raju Roka at the grave of Lieut Col James Alban Wilson

A contingent of Gurkha trainees helped to make this year’s Remembrance service at Aysgarth church on Sunday November 13 2022 a very memorable one.

The Remembrance services at Aysgarth began on Friday when the refurbished War Memorial in the church was dedicated.  This included a new plaque to honour the twelve local men killed in WWI whose names were omitted from the original Roll of Honour.

Frank Trowell designed the new structure for the wreaths and crosses created from the carved woodwork from the three pews which had been removed.  The refurbishment of the plaques was by John Pickard & Sons and the joinery by Paul Smith of Joinery Solutions. The engraving was by Dan Thornton-Grace.  Colonel Nick Gaskell initiated, oversaw and did much of the additional work.

All the Gurkha trainees and Corporal Raju Roka saluted at the War Memorial before they left the church on Sunday.

They had arrived early and so were able to visit the grave of Lieut Col James  Alban Wilson who served with the Gurkhas during WW1.

In Penhill Benefice on Sunday Gurkha trainees also attended the Remembrance Services at Redmire and West Witton churches.

Below: Saluting at the War Memorial