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On 16 November 2012 the DWMP presented on long-term
loan the Unknown Warrior window to Astor College for the Arts, Dover. The
window was created as part of an educational project to commemorate the 90th
anniversary of the home-coming of the Unknown Warrior.
Below is a selection of the kind remarks we received
after the presentation. For an account of the presentation see
"From the Front" for Winter 2012.
Accompanying educational resources are
here.
 What a triumph today was! You, Simon, and Mike did a
superb job. I think everyone was so impressed with the day. I don't know
why you worried about your speech, you did a wonderful job. I couldn't even
have stood up in front of all those people, let alone talk to them. If all
our Fallen are looking down they would be so proud of you and what you and
Simon have done for them. Thank you for including me in today, I felt so
proud to be there.
The whole event was most impressive – from the
passion of Maggie’s address to the simply stunning performances by the
students (‘hairs on back of neck’ time without a doubt). Keeping it well and
truly alive – ‘We will remember Them’ – with the passions of those involved
on Friday - ‘We will ensure no one forgets’. It really was a super event
and will without a doubt leave its own legacy – you should all be so very
proud.
May I take
this opportunity to congratulate you, your team and Astor College for what
was truly a memorable presentation service of the Unknown Warrior 90th
Anniversary Monolith this morning. It was an honour and privilege to
participate as a Standard Bearer for the occasion.
The entire
event was so moving and, although I am not a Dovorian, it is right that
future generations see how important Dover was for this country and indeed,
as with many other Towns/Cities, the loss of so many young men/women ( both
military and civilians) over two major conflicts. … It is thanks to people
like Marilyn that future generations will have the opportunity to understand
the importance of those who gave the "ultimate sacrifice".
Thanks again for the opportunity to attend on Friday. I
think that these events are extremely important and should always be
supported. The current members of the our service are proud to support the
DWMP in remembrance of both colleagues and their own family members that may
have been lost in all of the armed conflicts in which they have been called
upon to serve.
It has been a pleasure to work with DWMP founders
Marilyn Stephenson-Knight and Simon Chambers. This valuable project has
helped people get their relatives remembered on both Dover town memorial and
the virtual memorial website. It has brought history to life for thousands
of children, taught the importance of Remembrance and informed many about
the history of Walter Tull. Marilyn and Simon have worked tirelessly to
raise funds, collect the stories of those from Dover who fell during the
wars and to bring activities into schools. The monolith, now installed at
Astor College for the Arts, toured the county and is truly a brilliant
achievement. I hope their work continues to educate present and future
generations and to provide a permanent memorial for those who gave their
lives.
Congratulations on the Astor presentation. Brilliant!
Just to say a few comments on the presentation of the stained-glass Monolith
to Astor School last Friday. The organisation of the event was first class -
I thought Mike as MC introduced each person/dignatary with
 much humour and
aplomb. The letter of support from the two Patrons of the Dover War Memorial
- Dame Vera Lynn's letter was quite lovely and the other Patron, The Admiral
Lord Boyce, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, who attended, gave a very good
speech about the value of the Monolith and how it will help young people to
appreciate what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice. A very worthwhile
presentation and I thank you for the invite, I was very pleased to have been
a part of it. The work that the Dover War Memorial Project do, to bring
alive the memories of those fallen is so appreciated by everyone connected
to it, I cannot praise it highly enough - keep up the good work.
I would like
to thank you for inviting us to the Presentation on Friday. It was a lovely
morning but also a moving one.
I thought the Presentation of the Stained Glass
Memorial Window event at Astor College today was a huge success. The whole
programme ran extremely smoothly, the senior team at the College were
clearly very happy and meeting some of the smart and pleasant students was a
delight. I am in no doubt that all the hard, meticulous and painstaking work
you put into the preparations and organisation of the occasion played a
fundamental part in the excellent outcome we experienced. Please pass on my
best wishes to all at DWMP - today was a great feather in their cap!
 I thought the
whole presentation was absolutely fantastic. This Project has been and is a
fitting memorial to those it was set up to honour. The Dover War Memorial
Project has no completion date in sight. It will be and should be an ongoing
work and it is up to the young people to take this forward. It's not all
about money as people can contribute in other ways. Get on board with this
and tell your friends what it is about. Any people who forget their past
have no future.
I was delighted, and proud, to be among those who
were at the presentation and unveiling of the Unknown Warrior stained glass
windowat Astor College for the Arts. It is good that the window will be on
display there and the students, staff and visitors will be reminded of the
sacrifice so many people made so that we can enjoy our freedom today.
 An incredible and moving occasion with inspiring words
from Maggie for people of any and every age.
I was delighted to attend the unveiling event of the
unknown warrior monolith. The Dover War Memorial Project makes a massive
contribution to ensuring we remember the fallen from the wars. I wish the
project every success and was delighted that The Astor Federation for the
Arts gave such support to this important project.
The commemoration was a fitting a tribute to the
unknown warrior and all those who have fallen. The window itself is a
remarkable piece of art bringing the history of the conflict together with
the sheer industrial nature of those who fell. It also shows the love the
families and friends had for those who were lost, through the images and
written pieces on it. I thought the event was exceptionally well organised
and a great way to educate those of the future about the two World Wars.
 I am so pleased that I was able to attend. I thought
it was a wonderful event and I was both captivated and moved by it. It
was so interesting to hear some of the stories of Dover families who lost
loved ones during the conflict. This is the first Remembrance event I have
been to, and it was all very moving. Your speech was superb and full of
facts. The ending about who was the Unknown Warrior in our own families made
me think. Some of my family must have gone to fight and I am now interested
to find out who.
Well done to all at DWMP and Astor for a truly
memorable and moving day. It was absolutely brilliant, and I was privileged
to take part.
A well-organised, delightful and emotional event. A
credit to all involved. The volunteers of DWMP provide Dover with an
excellent, and much-needed service and are to be congratulated.
It was wonderful to see Astor College working so
closely with the Dover War Memorial Project, to produce a spectacular event.
Congratulations to all involved for producing such a moving experience.
illustrations:
"Welcome!" Phil Hackett bugling in Admiral the Lord Boyce and his guests
Admiral the Lord Boyce KG, GCB, OBE, DL unveiling
the stained-glass window
Speeches - the presentation was made in the theatre at Astor College for the
Arts
Jaouhar Ben Ayed and Sam Mummery singing "Cleaning My Rifle"
Courtney Wain and Sarah Mold singing "The White Cliffs of Dover"
Allison Green, teacher, with Admiral the Lord Boyce KG, GCB, OBE, DL
photos by Simon John Chambers |
