The Leyton Orient Memorial 2011

Following on from the successful tour of 2008, it seemed natural that another visit to the battlefields of Northern France should take place, particularly before the overwhelming commemorations of the centenary of the Great War commenced in 2014.

 Four coaches were commissioned to transport almost 200 Leyton Orient supporters and friends of the O’s over to France and as well as paying respects to the Clapton Orient lads lost on the Somme; William Jonas, Richard McFadden and George Scott, along with remembering the nations fallen, a very special event was to take place on the Sunday, 10th July – the unveiling of the O’s Somme Memorial. It was great that also travelling with the group was ITV London’s senior reporter Marcus Powell and cameraman Bill Jones, who were to provide a live broadcast back to the UK each evening of the tour.

The memorial was commissioned further to a fantastic fund raising drive which was instigated by Steve Jenkins, Orient legend Peter Kitchen and O’ supporter Theresa Burns. It only took eighteen months to raise the required amount of money to produce this unique tribute to the Clapton Orient side who served King and Country. Standing over two metres high, the memorial which was produced with much care by Keith Rackham of HL Parfitt Ltd, Diss, Suffolk and based on a design by Steve Jenkins, is made of solid granite and has two remarkable features included, namely a sculptured football and a pair of boots – both of which are of contemporary design.

Once again, Norman Coe, Steve Jenkins and Bob Sargeant were present in their role as Leyton Orient Buglers and were ably assisted by the pipers of the Royal British Legion and also former Royal Marine drummer, Duncan MacKinnon. As well as the O’s sites, visits were made to other locations, including Vimy Ridge where the 17th Middlesex saw heavy action.

The unveiling of the O’s Somme Memorial was an event to be proud of with what seemed the whole village of Flers in attendance, along with our large group, which had been bolstered with the addition of Orient legend Peter Kitchen and his partner Katherine, the mayor of Flers First Assessor Rene Charles Delette, incoming Mayor Pierrick Capelle and Barry Bright representing the Football Association. Former O’s winger and crowd favourite Alan Comfort, now chaplain of Leyton Orient lead the service and following special words of thanks and several speeches, the memorial was unveiled by Peter Kitchen, Patron of the O’s Somme Memorial Fund, David Dodd, Chairman of Leyton Orient Supporters’ Club and Rene Charles Delette.

Following the laying of wreaths, tributes and the laying of sections of turf from Leyton Orient’s pitch by Steve Jenkins, Barry Bright laid a wooden plaque that had the England ‘Three Lions’ crest adhered to it.

At the appropriate moment, the O’s Buglers played ‘Last Post’ and ‘Long Reveille’ and the Pipers played a Lament.

The occasion ended by the singing of ‘God Save The Queen’  and ‘Les Marseillais’.

What a proud day for all concerned and one that you do not have to be a Leyton Orient supporter to appreciate.