Cadets and Staff from 165 (Castle Bromwich) Squadron assisted with the Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance Associations (BARRA) Service of Remembrance at St Martin’s Church in Birmingham’s Bull Ring on Saturday 25 th September 2010.

Once again the Cadets were able to provide a Guard of Honour outside the Church as well as a ‘Close Escort’ to the BARRA Standard Bearer. The Guard of Honour was inspected by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, and by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir Paul Saberpathy CBE who was accompanied by ‘his’ Cadet, CWO Steve Wright.

Once inside the Church the Cadets, under the guidance of WO Elston, took charge of the Standards as they were laid up at the Altar and also of the Collection during the Offertory Hymn.

The musical accompaniment was proved by the City of Birmingham Brass Band and the Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir.

During the Service, to commemorate the 2241 Brummie lives lost during the Birmingham Blitz from 9 th August 1940 to 23 rd April 1943, the local historian Professor Carl Chinn led the tributes to the memories of those who died and to the fortitude of their families and the workers who carried on the business of war during the air raids. Birmingham was the most bombed city in the country after London, a fact little realised or appreciated outside of the City.

Following the Service inside St Martin’s there was a short procession to the Tree of Life Memorial, near to the Bull Ring markets, where a Wreath laying Ceremony was conducted by the Reverend Janet Douglas, the Assistant Rector of St Martin’s.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony was the final Act of Remembrance at St Martin’s before the Lord Mayor and Invited friends were taken back to the Lord Mayors Parlour for refreshments.

Flight Lieutenant James Martin, OC 165 Squadron, said

“The Cadets from 165 Squadron have once again received very high praise from all of the Guests as well as the Chairman of BARRA and they continue to display the great dignity and professionalism that is associated with public Parades and Church services such as this.”