The bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Arnhem will be commemorated at a special service on Tuesday, 17 September, at the city’s War Memorial.
The annual event will mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, a daring Allied attempt to seize a series of bridges in the Netherlands in September 1944. The battle was a pivotal moment in the war, and the British 1st Airborne Division suffered heavy losses.
Later that week, the Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Lesley Scott-Boutell, will lay flowers during a commemorative service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery, alongside civic dignitaries from Renkum, veterans, and soldiers of 16 Air Assault Brigade. This presence underscores the deep connection between Colchester and Renkum, forged through shared history and sacrifice.
In 2019, Colchester City Council established a bond of friendship with Renkum, the Dutch district including Oosterbeek, where soldiers landed and made their final stand. This connection underscores the shared history between Colchester and the British Army’s airborne forces, with 16 Air Assault Brigade based at the city’s Merville Barracks.
To honour this historic event, the Dutch flag and Pegasus, the emblem of airborne forces, will fly from Colchester Town Hall from 17 to 25 September, symbolising the nine days of intense fighting 80 years ago.
The service will commence with a two-minute silence, followed by the reading of the Kohima Epitaph and the laying of wreaths. Local schoolchildren and cadets will lay sunflowers grown by Abberton Rural Training, mirroring the Dutch tradition of children placing flowers on graves during the main commemorative service at Oosterbeek War Cemetery.
The Reverend Gavin Smith CF, Senior Chaplain 16 Air Assault Brigade, and the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Anthony Bushell will lead prayers. A bugler from British Army Band Colchester will play The Last Post and Reveille.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Lesley Scott-Boutell, said: “The Battle of Arnhem was a defining moment in World War II. It was a courageous and ambitious endeavour to liberate the Netherlands from Nazi occupation, but ultimately ended in tragedy.
“Despite the outcome, the battle stands as a testament to the unwavering courage and determination of the Allied forces. They fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“This year, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary, let us renew our commitment to preserving the legacy of these brave soldiers and the principles they fought for. I invite you to join me in honouring those who fought and died for our freedom.
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, Commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “Operation Market Garden was a hugely ambitious, if ultimately unsuccessful, operation. The soldiers who fought at Arnhem displayed determination, endurance, and selflessness that set a standard for all those that have followed them.
“It is hugely important that we join with the people of Colchester to honour the bravery and sacrifice of all who took part, while marking our shared links with the Netherlands.”
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS:
Civic party arrives through Castle Park gate entrance. The service will begin at 12.30pm.
War Memorial:
- Welcome, opening prayers and scripture reading by The Reverend Gavin Smith CF Senior Chaplain 16 Air Assault Brigade and the Reverend Anthony Bushell, Mayor’s Chaplain.
- Read by a serving soldier and a schoolchild, the story of Trooper William Edmond, who was killed on 17 September 1944, and Willemien Rieken, a Dutch woman who tended his grave in Oosterbeek for more than 75 years.
- The Ode to the Fallen
- The Last Post played by a bugler from British Army Band Colchester
- Two-minute Silence
- Reveille
- The Kohima Epitaph, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers
- Prayers including The Airborne Forces Collect led by The Reverend Gavin Smith CF, Senior Chaplain 16 Air Assault Brigade.
- The Blessing given by The Reverend Gavin Smith CF, Senior Chaplain 16 Air Assault Brigade
- The service will last 25 minutes
Page last reviewed: 6 September 2024