Tuesday 11th November was the day that OCA members Bill and Jeanne Edwards, Frank and Elsie Moggach and John Hamnett attended the Ubon Remembrance Ceremony 2014. Unfortunately Jim Curtis was unable to attend the ceremony he'd helped to organise due to ill health. I'm happy to say that Jim soon recovered. We soon found ourselves as usual being given leading role's by the 'Falang' organiser Mike Chapman. I think Mike has come to appreciate our participation.

Mike Chapman reads the prepared scripts explaining to the Thai audience the meaning of the Remembrance Ceremony. Thom Nagler interprets Mike's words for them. Jim Curtis would have been involved at this stage but Mike had to stand in for him as Jim was in hospital. Fortunately Jim soon made a recovery from what appeared to be a stomach bug. The ceremony will be in it's tenth year in 2015 and Mike has asked if OCA will be able to attend in numbers to swell the Falang presence. He was happy when I explained we were planning a big 50th Reunion event.

A youth string orchestra provided the music for the ceremony and to a high standard. My mind went back immediately to the 2011 Remembrance Ceremony when Neil Campbell played the pipes with a school brass band after the ceremony. His playing the lament during the ceremony proved a very emotional moment. As a complete contrast his 'jammin' session with kids was fun with lots of smiles all round. A scene that plays in my mind from time to time. The good news is for those of you who intend to be at the 2015 ceremony, is that Neil will be playing the pipes again.

A new Governor of Ubon sits centre stage flanked by his Generals. The degree to which officials payed their respects revealed this was no ordinary governor. I was informed on enquiring that he is also the Thai Foreign Minister. It would appear that the Remembrance Ceremony is being noticed in higher circles and is continuing to gain in importance.

The Governor of Ubon adjusts the wreath his escorts have laid for him. This year for some reason, the Thai's have recognised the role the poppy plays in the Remembrance Ceremony as the wreaths were beautifully made with large magnificent manufactured poppies. We must make sure that next year our wreaths are purchased from the same supplier.

OCA stalwart Bill Edwards waits as his escort place the FEPOW wreath he has accompanied to the stand it will sit on. Bill and his spouse Jeanne have attended every Remembrance Ceremony since 2010 and are have registered their intent to attend the big one in 2015.

Frank Moggach marches behind his escort to lay the Operation Crown wreath. Frank was unaware he would be recruited to fill this role so he had no time prepare. If he was out of his comfort zone it didn't show as he carried out his duty with a respectful dignity. Well done Frank and thanks for stepping in.

Julian Strathearn is tasked with laying the 'Falang's of Ubon' wreath and to that end he marches in Mufti behind his escort towards the podium which will house it. Julian was a member of the Rhodesian SAS attached to one of the SAS Squadrons in Hereford. Although Julian has lived in Ubon for a number of years he has not attended the ceremony before. I had a chat with Julian in the TC bar after the ceremony and he was delighted to hear that an OCA piper would be gracing the ceremony for 2015

The Governor of Ubon Ratchathani stands with his guests. The Exhortation was read by Mike Chapman due to Jim Curtis's absence, the Last Post was played to a high standard and then the two minutes silence. The Thai organisors have now been persuaded that the two minutes silence must be timed exactly at 11:00 hrs

With all but the releasing of the Dove's of Peace to be enacted, Jeanne Edwards carries out a now familiar role of presenting a bouquet to the most important player at the ceremony. In the past she's presented to relatives of Little Mother Ubon or the Governor's wife. This time she presented the bouquet to the top V I P, the Governor himself. Well done Jeanne and thanks for your and Bill's ongoing commitment to the ceremony and to the OCA.

Surrounded by guests the Governor of Ubon releases the Doves of Peace. All the Governors seem to enjoy this part of the ceremony immensely. Note Frank and Elsie Moggach in the crowd.

The ceremony concluded and the picture taking begins. A Free Thai Army veteran stands center stage for the start of the photo op. This ancient warrior fought against the Japanese and could well have been one of the liberators of the POW's in Ubon. I recommend a read of 'The Conjuror on the Kwai' the story of a member of the Magic Circle who's tricks kept him alive. There is a section at the back of the book that tells of the release of the POW's from the Ubon camp. He talks of a Free Thai Army member coming into the camp to release them from captivity.

Mike Chapman stand with the female descendants of 'Little Mother Ubon'. She and her daughter repeatedly put their lives at risk by passing food through the wire to the POW's. This ceremony has come into being because descendants of the POW's on a visit to Ubon to see the 'Monument of Merit' could not find it in the location it should have been. They stopped an Ex-pat to enquire as to where it might be and so knowledge of the monuments origins became public. The falang community originated the ceremony in 'Little Mother Ubon's honour.

OCA members stand with female descendants of 'Little Mother Ubon'. The similarities of their features might be giving us some idea of how she looked. 'Little Mother Ubon' placed herself and her daughter in danger of execution because of her faith in the teaching's of Buddha. It's only fitting she should be honoured now by our generation. Below is a slideshow of pictures taken during the ceremony.