HISTORY AND TRADITION were marked at Royal Air Force Wittering with a World War I Christmas truce football match and a carol service on Tuesday 16th December. A sunlit, but nonetheless chilly, afternoon saw service and civilian personnel gather at the Cambridgeshire Station’s football pitch to recreate, in a modern sense, the matches played during the unofficial truces of World War I. The match was organised by Senior Aircraftman Paul Gibbons (26) of the Low Flying Operations Squadron, who was inspired to organise the event as 2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. The match was held in aid of the Forces Children’s Trust, which is a British charity devoted to helping dependent children that have lost a parent whilst serving with the Armed Forces. For SAC Gibbons, the choice of the Forces Children’s Trust came naturally. He said; “Because I do football coaching for children, that’s why I have a focus on children and why I chose this charity.” With sandbag decorated goalposts, the pitch had a distinctly historical atmosphere. Both teams played in combat fatigues, echoing the battle dress their forebears would have worn a century ago. As the day drew to a close personnel from across the Cambridgeshire airbase made their way to the historic Station Headquarters building for the annual Christmas carol service. Carollers congregated around the Station’s Christmas tree and sang to the assured musical stylings of the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band. RAF Wittering Chaplain Ian Brown officiated, with the blessing read by Padre Jesse Holland. The carollers were joined by a choir from Wittering Primary School and RAF Wittering Station Commander, Group Captain Damian Alexander, read the first lesson; but not before encouraging the congregation to sing louder. Wing Commander Lizzy Nicholl, Officer Commanding Support Wing, said; “With the football match and the carol service, we’ve had a day which recognises the importance of giving and of comradeship. These are important aspects of Christmas, and it’s important that we do our best make sure everyone can enjoy them.”
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:33:42 +0000
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