Armistice Day Service 2023

Saturday 11th November 2023 saw our annual Armistice Day Service at Farsley Rehoboth.

One of the early objectives of the purchase and reclamation of the Rehoboth was to allow visitors to see and remember our official War Graves, closely followed by the discovery of 15 family graves that carry a tribute to a family member who fell in either of the World Wars.

 At the start of 2019, Farsley Rehoboth had no legal right to entry; accordingly we now hold an Armistice Day service, every 11th November and encourage attendees and relatives to mark our War and Remembered Graves.

 Last Saturday saw our fourth service (we could not hold a formal service in 2020 due to Covid) which was our best attended yet. In cold but very sunny conditions the Rehoboth was looking its2 best with autumnal leaves and colours. Once again we had officiating Reverend Gareth Howles and Stephen Boardman, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. A full strength choir from Valley View Community Primary School accompanied by many parents boosted the attendance with many attendees afterwards having their first tour of the Rehoboth. 

 The framed “Dead Man’s Penny Set” awarded in memory of 18 year old Edgar Lee, who is in an official War Grave, situated next to the top wall was exhibited, and all visitors were taken to our newly found (and soon to be registered as such), War Grave of Sapper Joseph Shepherd age 19 who died in January 1940. Our researchers have made contact with direct relatives; we are preserving their privacy and understand a family party will be visiting shortly.

 Our service was featured in the December issue of The Squeaker.