Service of Commemoration for Lee Rigby

22 May 2026

This Service was held at 11am on 22nd May, the 14th anniversary of Lee Rigby’s death.

We were glad to welcome a group from the Royal Fusiliers, Lee Rigby’s Regiment. Major McCarthy read the introduction reminding us of Lee’s Life and the horrendous circumstances of his death. It ended with these words, “While the names of his murderers have long been forgotten as they serve out their sentences of life imprisonment, the name of Lee Rigby lives on and we honour his life as well as commemorating his death.”

Rev Dr. Adam Scott led the Prayers including the Prayer for Soldiers who died on military service, and the Fusiliers’ prayer. Two eulogies were read, the first by Cllr John Fahy and the second by Andrew Blundy, one of our Trustees.

The congregation was reminded of the tribute paid by Lee’s commanding officer at his Funeral; “Lee was larger than life, always at the centre of fun, a true regimental character with real charisma. Everyone fell under his spell. Whether it was at work or off duty, at a ceremonial engagement or on operations, Lee knew just how to lighten the mood. He could brighten a room within moments and by all accounts clear a dance floor in seconds if a Whitney Houston track was playing. He was always happy. His smile was infectious as was his enthusiasm for soldiering and his passion for Life.”

We were pleased that the present Mayor (Cllr Linda Bird) and her successor (Cllr David Gardner) were in attendance.

The Last Post and Reveille were beautifully played on the bugle by Dylan Rolland, a young Marines reservist and an undergraduate at the University of Greenwich. David Ball, another of our Trustees spoke the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph.

Most of the congregation, on a hot summer day, stayed behind for refreshments after the Service.

You can view the Order of Service here