The annual British Embassy Service of Remembrance was held in St Andrew’s Church, Moscow on Sunday 8 November 2020. Due to the pandemic, a number of additional safety measures had to be taken including no singing, no mass laying of wreaths, and 50% less guests. Unfortunately, these restrictions precluded invitation of Russian WW2 veterans this year. But the Ambassador was determined to proceed with the event so that the Embassy and its guests could mark this important occasion properly. The French and Italian Ambassador gave readings.

     The centenary of both the opening of the stone Cenotaph in London and also the laying to rest of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey gave an additional poignancy to this year’s service. In particular, in this 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the congregation give thanks for all who served and gave their lives in the victory over Nazism. The Chaplain drew parallels in the shared values – courage, bravery, dedication to duty, and sacrifice – of those who serve in the military of civilians and civilian organisations to have fought to keep us safe during the pandemic. And the pain of loss suffered in both war and peace.

     The service ended with a beautiful rendition of the Lark Ascending by a local violinist. Ralph Vaughan Williams began composition of this piece in 1914 only to be interrupted by the start of World War I. The composer, being too old for active combat, enlisted as an ambulance driver and stretcher bearer before being transferred to the Royal Artillery Corps where the continued noise of gunfire damaged his hearing and ultimately led to deafness. His experiences in the war left a deep emotional scar on him and he did not return to composing until 1920 when he revised the score of The Lark Ascending for its orchestral premier.  The piece is achingly beautiful and full of a nostalgic yearning for peace and the simple beauty of nature. The final poem of the service from Lawrence Binyon concluded that ‘there is music in the midst of desolation, and a glory that shines upon our tears’ as we remember the fallen.

Captain John Foreman, Royal Navy, UK Defence Attaché, British Embassy Moscow