REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

The War Graves at the English Cemetery in Malaga

On Sunday we attended the service of Holy Communion for Remembrance Sunday at St George’s Church in Malaga and we are so pleased that we did. The church was filled to the rafters and there were at least 20 people standing outside. The service was attended by members of Her Majesty’s Forces stationed in Gibraltar, along with members of the Royal British Legion. It was the most moving service and we were both close to tears at the laying of the wreaths on the war graves.

The Lone Bugler

Members of Her Majesty's Forces stationed in Gibraltar

They shall not grow old as we who 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

A War Veteran

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The English Cemetery in Malaga, where St George’s Church stands, is the result of the inspiration of William Mark, who was British Consul in Malaga from 1824 until 1836 and due to his persistent efforts the first protestant cemetery in Spain was established in 1831 and today contains more than 1000 graves. The cemetery is also a botanical garden with a number of unusual specimens of trees and plants. With several well-known people buried there, it has become one of Malaga’s historical sites.