Mexborough & Swinton Times November 19, 1926
Armistice Service at Denaby.
Ambulance Brigade’s Tribute.
Remembrance day was celebrated on Sunday at Denaby Main, and it was noticeable that there, as at Conisborough, there was no diminution but rather an increase in the fervour of the observance. A parade of over 500 was formed at headquarters of the St John ambulance Brigade, and, headed by the ambulance band, under ambulance officer M. Soar, the procession marched by way of the principal streets to All Saints church. The whole was under the command of Corps Supt. W. Still, and district officer H. Hulley was also present.
The three divisions were well represented, Denaby under Supt. Wilkinson, Mexborough under Supt. Simpkins, and Conisborough under Supt. Farrell. In addition, other officers on parade were Corps secretary C. J. Pickett, ambulance officers Cook, N. Hulley, Ross, and Wimpenny, with Lady Supt. Mrs Farrell in change of Denaby nursing sisters, Lady Supt. Yates in charge of Mexborough, and Lady officer Mrs Curtis with Conisborough. Conisborough Fire Brigade provided a good muster under capt. R. J. Clarkson. The British Legion contingent was a strong one, under coun. T. Oxley. The 5th K. O. Y. L. I. which sent a detachment, which was under the command of Lieut. Bracewell. The Boy Scouts, with bugle band, under scouts Mr Wood, and the girl guides were strongly represented.
The church was filled to capacity, and all available space was occupied by chairs. The hymns included the special one called “The Supreme Sacrifice,” without which there seems something lacking at these services. It is a really beautiful hymn, with words full of significance of the past and present. Prayers for the mining industry and the league of Nations were said, and the psalm selected was number 46 from the ninth day, “God is our refugee.” The choir sang the anthem, “My soul, there is a country,” very impressively.
The rev. H. Lee said that he felt unworthy, but something must be said. On Armistice Day he noted some verses in the psalms, “Are your mindset upon righteousness, o ye congregation: and do ye judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men? Yea ye imagine mischief in your heart upon the earth: and your hands deal with wickedness.”
That first question was a challenge to life as lived today, a reminder that every man and woman and nation would stand at the bar of God. The Psalmist was keen on righteousness. The world had progressed, and there might be a few more keen on righteousness. There was an age long purpose for all the world to know it was not sufficient to leave it to the parsons. The only progress made was when the nation was on the increase for righteousness. Could we not imagine that the millions who laid down their lives were putting the question, “Are your minds set upon righteousness?” It was not enough to try to be jolly, amiable and sociable follows: we should also be out for righteousness. The mind of Britain was centred on winning the war; that was the only way in which problems of the day could be tackled.
“Do ye judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men?” These were the days of great change. Where things remained stable it was 10 to one that there was a decrease of power in life, and we should welcome all efforts for righteous change. “As it was in the beginning” was believed by some, or at least they thought they believed it. That would not work. The only one of whom it could be said was God. Others said that the change was not quick enough; they advocated a complete break up of the social system – new houses, new gods, and new codes of morality. Such would be without solid foundation; they would be houses on sand. Unless the life of the country was on solid foundations it was insecure. We could not change the laws of right and wrong. That God judged the earth was an old-fashioned but true theory. If we read history we should find that every time the nations were brought to judgement for the things done. As we sowed so should we reap, was a unaltered law of God. We should pray that his righteousness should reign supreme, the great Thanksgiving of our lives.
From the church the congressional moved to the memorial cross in the churchyard, where the hymn, “O God our help,” was sung to the band.
Corps Supt. Still said that tribute was being paid to very gallant men, who died during the four years of supreme sacrifice. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month our thoughts were carried to the hideousness of war. Homage was being done to the gallant and wonderful men who gave their lives, may we hope that the memory of the fallen would be reversed by that beautiful and simple ceremony. There were few who did not lose relatives or friends in their devastating battles. They were dead and at peace. But there were thousands who today were disabled, and we should pray that God would shield them from further privation and suffering, so that when the time came for them to pass into the great beyond they might pass into that great and glorious company in whose memory the wreaths were now placed on the memorial.