I was delighted to be able to join Mike on Sunday for the Remembrance Service in Swan Square, Burslem. This year is the first time in the  twenty years since the Royal Doulton Burslem Factory shut its gates that the Royal Doulton Fallen were honoured with a wreath in such a ceremony. 

Everyone involved in the Kilngate memorial project has worked so hard in making sure that these ‘names on a memorial’  have been honored for their sacrifices. But for me personally it runs much deeper than that, as researching these ‘names’ has brought about the most extraordinary connections to the descendants, some of whom I met on Sunday. 

As one we stood in a cold, damp,  grey town centre, knowing that throughout the country and Commonwealth countries we stood shoulder to shoulder with men, women and children who hold their ancestors closely in their hearts. 

We stood together in mourning for lost generations, some mourning a dad who never returned an Uncle they never met, a community in quiet reflection, thoughts kept to themselves in the atmosphere of reverence. 

The service was led beautifully by Swan Bank Church and the Reverend Kathryn Stephens, Superintendent Minister of the Stoke on Trent Mission Circuit conducted the service. 

Swan Bank Church provided warmth and Christian hospitality in their church should anyone need to be warm and sit in comfort whilst the service was live streamed. ( The link to this is provided at the bottom of this page). 

Hymns were sung, prayers were repeated, Scripture was read by  David Williams MP for Stoke on Trent and family of Jack Baskeyfield VC. 

The cadets and scout groups representing their own generation, families and respective uniformed groups  listened and learned attentively as the veterans who stood proudly to attention and marched to and from the memorial, showing their life experience, their military training and their pride at being a revered part of their community at their war memorial. It was delightful for me to observe the primary aged children as well as the older groups honouring the day respectfully. 

As we stepped forward to lay the wreath for the 58  Royal Doulton Burslem Men and one Woman, I recognised a face in the crowd, John Boulton, his father, Jack,  the very man who connected me with this research project.  

After the service, I was so pleased to be able to finally chat with John Boulton, both  Mike and I were also able to chat with the family of Trooper Arthur Harratt, his niece Angela, along with her Navy Cadet  granddaughter Gia who made their way to Burslem after participating in the ceremony at Goldenhill Remembrance Service and laying a wreath for Arthur. 

It was good to know that both Kenneth Hall's nieces were remembering Kenneth, Ann locally at the  Burslem Remembrance Service, meanwhile and her cousin Judith attended the Cenotaph in Port Macquarie Australia. 

The Great Great Nieces of Val Sylvester commemorated the day with Jan in her local Baptist church in Worcester, with reading Val's story to the congregation. And Jackie more locally attended the Stoke On Trent Cenotaph. 

Steve Plimbley honoured his Great Uncle William Plimbley, at the Fenton Remembrance service.   

As ever we are so very grateful for the support of everyone involved in the Kilngate Memorial Project.