Veterans invited to Drumhead Service

Veterans are being encouraged to join this year's annual Drumhead Service at Manor Park, as the Royal British Legion prepares to honour those who have served their country.

The service will take place in the Garden of Remembrance in the Rose Garden at 2.30pm on Sunday 12th July, with veterans invited to gather at the Pavilion from 2pm before parading to the memorial alongside members of the Royal British Legion and Army Cadets. 

Branch Chair Dave Halligan, who is marking his 26th year as Parade Marshal for both the Drumhead Service and Glossop's Remembrance Day commemorations, hopes to see a strong turnout. 

He said: "It would be great to see a good turnout of vets joining the Legion and the Army Cadets for the service. Join us at 2pm at the Pavilion to parade down to the Garden of Remembrance. As they say – medals will be worn!" 

The Drumhead Service was held annually from 1931 until 1986 before being revived in 2014 to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. At the revived service, the address was delivered by Lord Howard of Glossop, the Duke of Norfolk, who spoke about his great-uncle Philip Howard, who was killed in France in 1918 and after whom Philip Howard Road is named. 

The Garden of Remembrance itself has a long history. Created in 1931 by ex-servicemen, it was planted with roses donated by the Glossop Co-operative Society and the former Borough of Glossop. It is said there was one rose for every name recorded on the Glossop and Hadfield War Memorials. 

This year's guests will include Sir Richard FitzHerbert, former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and the High Peak Mayor, Councillor Barbara Hastings-Asatourian. 

Branch President George Wharmby said: "Richard will say a few words and it's a pleasure to have him joining the High Peak Mayor Councillor Barbara Hastings-Asatourian at the service." 

George served as the district's Poppy Appeal organiser from 2012 to 2024, helping raise more than £270,000. He has since handed over the role to Jane Grimsley, who said: "George has been a hard act to follow but I'll do my best!" 

The service also holds special significance for Branch Chaplain Fr Norman Shaw and Branch Treasurer Tony Wright, whose fathers both served with distinction during the Second World War. 

Fr Shaw's father, Frank Shaw, was a gunner in the Royal Artillery, serving in Normandy before advancing through France and Belgium into the Netherlands during the 1944-45 campaign. After the war, he became a gardener in Manor Park and proudly led the Drumhead Service parade each year to the Garden of Remembrance. 

Fr Shaw said: "After the War my Dad was also a gardener in Manor Park. For the Drumhead Service he would don his bowler hat and best suit to proudly lead the Parade through Manor Park to his Rose Garden." 

Tony's father, George Wright, also served as a gunner, initially defending London during the Blitz before fighting with the Eighth Army at El Alamein, Tunisia, Salerno and Anzio. Following the disbandment of his regiment in 1945, he transferred to the Cheshire Regiment and finished his service in Trieste. After the war, he became Chair of the Glossop Branch of the Royal British Legion and organised the Drumhead Service for many years. 

Tony said: "My Dad was Chair of the Glossop Branch and for many years organised the Drumhead Service, and my mother Barbara was ex WAAF so like Norman I support the Legion for my parents." 

Glossop Old Band will provide music during the service. 

Dave, who completed two tours in Northern Ireland and has given many years' service to the Army Cadets, said: "This long-established service is a great tribute to all those who served and serve, and it's a wonderful way of remembering those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Do please join us!"