75th Anniversary of the deaths of Cyril Swain and other airmen following the Great Escape.
St Peter & St Paul's Church, Wem
Sunday 24th March 2019, 2.30pm
Service led by the Rector, Nick Heron, assisted by David Smith.
Bouquet of Tulips laid by the Maor of Wem.
Tulips were selected because one of Cyril Swain's grandmothers was Dutch.
Wreath of everlasting flowers to be laid inside the church.
This is to reflect the enduring memory of the pilots' sacrifices.
Introduction and Welcome
Opening Prayer
Bible Reading - County Cllr Chris Mellings
Prayers
Laying of a bouquet of tulips in the Kohima vase at base of memorial by Cllr Connie Granger, the Mayor of Wem
Blessing
Prayer
Brief resumé of Flt Lt Swain's background and the story of the Great Escape and the aftermath - Mayor
Short Reflection
Prayers
Laying of a wreath of everlasting flowers beneath the Great Escape print by Sarah Dean (on behalf of Wem Civic Society)
Minute's Silence
Kohima Epitaph
Laying of the wreath by Sarah Dean
The wreath in situ.
Representatives from a number of organistions including Wem Town Council, Royal British Legion (Wem), Wem Civic Society, Shropshire Council plus other Wemians were present.
The service at the War Memorial was dedicated to Cyril Swain while the service inside the church encompassed all the 50 airmen killed.
Great emphasis was placed on the sacrifice of those airmen, which allowed us our freedom, and the triumph of good over evil.
The Martyr's Print showing images from Stalag Luft III
including the memorial built by POWs of the camp.
the surround is made of images of the pilots who were killed.
It was presented to Wem by the Canadian POW Association.
Wem Library staff and Wem Civic Society organised a book and information display in the foyer of the library. The information display covered the life and family of Cyril Swain, Stalag Luft III and the POWs, the Escape and Aftermath, and the important part played by the deaths of the airmen in the Nuremberg Trials. March 12th to April 11th, 2019.
Wem Town Hall streamed and event from the Apollo Threatre, London, which included a showing of the film, 'The Great Escape'. Sunday, March 24th, 2019.
Previous Commemorations
In 2010 a series of displays and talks organised by Wem Civic Society featured the story of the Great Escape. Wem Town Hall also put on a special viewing of the film of the Great Escape.
[Shropshire Star report] On Wednesday 25th March 2009, Wem's civic leaders got together to remember Cyril Swain for his role in the Great Escape. The Mayor of Wem, Councillor Pauline Dee,
laid a posy of fresh spring flowers at the town's war memorial to mark the 65th anniversary of the escape. Also present were county, district and town councillor Chris Mellings,
Wing Commander Tim Owens, deputy station commander and Squadron Leader Neil Hope at from RAF Shawbury, plus members of the Royal British Legion, Rotary and Probus clubs and other
Wem Town Councillors. Prayers were led by the Rector of St Peter and St Paul Church, the Reverend Christopher Cooke and a two-minute silence was held.