Armistice Day service is loving tribute
Veteran’s stories inspired grand-daughter
REMEMBRANCE Day on the Costa Blanca was marked by a moving church service in Moraira on Monday - the fifth annual service held on Armistice Day, the date when the guns fell silent at the end of the Great War.
The November 11 tribute to those who fell in the defence of freedom has become part of the Royal British Legion calendar; each year the ceremony is staged at the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados Church and organised by expat Laura Hillstead.
Laura said both her grandfathers Philip and Ernie served in the Armed Forces during the Second World War, but the stories of the former who lied about his age to join the Royal Navy - inspired her to organise the church service of remembrance.
Supported by Teulada Moraira town hall, first four years took place when she was a councillor. This year was the first Laura organised as a member of the Royal British Legion but it is a tradition she is determined to continue.
And she told Costa Blanca News: “I do this because my granddad was very involved in helping veterans and took them back to France to visit war graves.
“I always remember my bedtime stories were about the navy; that was when I was a little child and being told stories by both grandfathers.”
“I was also fascinated by granddad’s medals. I always remember I felt very proud of him; he took all these old gentlemen back to visit the graves of their fallen comrades.”
Laura said Granddad Philip even learned French at the age of 60 to help organise the trips across the Channel. “He did not have to study at that age...perhaps that’s where my love of languages comes from.”
She added: “I sometimes ask myself why he did it. He was in the Royal Navy and falsified his age to join up we still have the papers.”
In commemoration to her grandfather, Laura joined the Royal British Legion earlier this year “on his birthday”.
Laura is pictured outside the church with the Father Marcus Ronchetti, together with the standards and representatives of the Armed Forces associations, including the Royal British Legion.
During the Moraira service, Father Marcus was joined by Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy colleague Father Jim and the congregation was treated to the harmonies of the Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir.