A poignant commemoration took place yesterday morning to pay tribute to all those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. As the spiritual home of the Fleet Air Arm we were particularly honoured by the presence of many bereaved family members who came to remember their loved ones who had died in service, some of whom were laid to rest with us.  
Whilst the majority of the service took place inside the church, the Act of Remembrance was conducted at the Wayfair Cross in the Royal Naval Cemetery. 
The names on the Naval Service Roll of Honour for the past 12 months was read out before Last Post and the two minute silence.  After reveille was sounded Captain Duncan Thomas Royal Navy, Commanding Officer of Royal Naval Air Station, was the first to lay a wreath on behalf of the Ship's Company. 
Once back in the church prayers were said for the fallen, the nation and peace, these were followed by the singing of the Naval Hymn. Proceedings were completed with the playing of the National Anthem.

Thank you to Liz O'Brien who supplied the images. 

Ilchester Junior School pupils have had a busy week learning about the poppy and what it has come to symbolise for over a century.
Representatives from the school visited the Royal Naval Cemetery to place some of the beautiful poppies they had made. The children decided to position them around the  armillary base so that they can be seen during this year's Remembrance Sunday service and for the rest of November.  
Earlier in the day, they had also put poppies on 'Falklands Way' so that each Fleet Air Arm man who did not come home after the 1982 conflict had their own handmade flower. 
On Tuesday our Custodian had delivered a presentation focusing on just a few of the Royal Naval Air Service and Fleet Air Arm personnel killed in both World Wars, how they are commemorated and then talking about what remembrance meant to them personally. This prompted plenty of thoughtful and interesting questions from this large group of 90 young people.
Thank you Ilchester Junior School for your undivided attention and taking the time to remember those who died for our country so that we have the freedom to live as we do today. 
Well done!

In addition to contributing an average of £1,500 per annum to the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church Trust, each year our Sunday congregation continue to help charities locally and further afield.
In the past 12 months, they have donated to the following organisations:
Royal British Legion (for remembrance)                                                      £160
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity                                                  £1,000
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (Bicentenary)                                       £750 
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance                                                     £750
St Mary le Strand Restoration (Women’s Royal Naval Service church)               £500
Friends of St John, Somerset                                                                £500
Yeovil Christian Support Trust (Lord's Larder for Harvest Festival)                  £109