New woodland planted in Newquay in memory of military personnel lost in action
Cornwall's Royal British Legion is marking its centenary year on Remembrance Sunday
Last updated 14th Nov 2021
A new woodland has been planted on the outskirts of Newquay in memory of members of the British Armed Forces who have lost their lives in action.
The Cornwall County branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) planted the trees on Armistice Day at Nansledan, the 540-acre extension to the coastal town being developed by the Duchy of Cornwall.
In its centenary year, the RBL’s new woods will create a peaceful space for people to reflect and remember the service and sacrifice of the British Armed Forces, to enable the act of Remembrance to continue for another hundred years.
The Cornwall RBL says that for 100 years Remembrance has been part of the fabric of society, reminding us of our shared history.
The new woodland has been planted to continue to unite people across all backgrounds, communities and generations, and remind them that the RBL will continue to fight for the rights of the Armed Forces community for another 100 years.
Officials say they are dedicated to showing the next generation why we remember and the new wood outside the primary school Sol Nansledan will teach children about the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.
The school kids have been planting trees and each year the school will lay a wreath in November.
The opening service of the new woodland included a Standards and Parade Marshall, two-minute silence, recitals of The Exhortation, The Last Post and Reveille, and speeches by the Lord Lieutenant and County Chairman.
Our reporter Megan Price was there for us, you can watch her video report below:
One of those paying his respects at the ceremony was veteran Derek Coad, who joined the Royal Air Force in 1978 just before his 19th birthday.
After recruit training, he trained as an Aircraft Propulsion Technician. Derek served for 19 years before leaving the RAF in 1997. During his service he served throughout the UK and in several overseas detachments.
Derek is now the Chairman of the Royal British Legion Bodmin branch, founder and admin of the Bodmin Branch of the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast club, and founder of the Bodmin Veterans WalkingGroup.
He has been thinking of his great uncle, a farmer's son from Clay Country, who was called up to the frontline in France but never came home.
He told us: "Tragically he was killed on the 22nd of October 1918, and what's even perhaps more tragic, is that in another 20 days that horrible war, the war that they said would end all wars, actually ended.
"I also think a lot at this time of the year about my great grandmother, on the other side of the family, who had her husband, my great grandfather, and her son, my grandfather, away at war at the same time and I wonder how long every day was for her.
"I see it almost as a duty from my generation to hand on remembrance to the generations that are coming behind us.
"If you are a veteran, or if you are currently serving, and you need help don't suffer in silence."