Three British military veterans arrive in Bahrain tonight to take part in Remembrance Day services.
Chelsea Pensioners Warrant Officer Two Dewi Treharne, aged 84, Warrant Officer Two Roy Palmer, aged 80, and Warrant Officer One Peter Henry, aged 72, flew in for Remembrance Day celebrations which this year mark the 101st anniversary of the end of the First World War, and Armistice Day.
Welcome
The veterans will be welcomed at Bahrain International Airport by British Embassy defence attaché Commander Paul Windsar and Bahrain British Business Forum’s (BBBF) treasurer Philip Solarski.
During the course of their week-long stay in the kingdom, the guests will wear their distinctive ‘scarlet’ uniforms and attend several events where members of the public will have the opportunity to meet them.
The highlight of their visit will be their attendance at the annual charity Poppy Ball organised by the BBBF which will be held at The Gulf Hotel at 7pm next Friday.
Held in co-operation with the British Business Association of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the event has become one of the most popular on Bahrain’s yearly social calendar.
Tomorrow, the visitors will be hosted to a lunch at the Royal Golf Club’s Links restaurant. On Sunday a Remembrance Service will be held at the St Christopher’s Cathedral at 6.15pm.
A special service will also take place at the Christian cemetery in Manama on the same day at 3pm where the Chelsea Pensioners will lay the traditional Remembrance Day poppy wreath.
Services
British Ambassador Roddy Drummond is expected to attend both the services.
On Monday, a two-minute silence will be observed, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the time (in the UK) when armistice became effective in 1918.
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member-states since the end of the First World War in remembrance of members of their armed forces who died in the line of duty.
The pensioners will also visit the British Club for a fish ’n’ chips dinner at 6.30pm on Tuesday and the following day they will be at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club’s Mano’s Restaurant for drinks and steak night at 7pm.
On November 15 the pensioners will enjoy the Friday lunch buffet at the Dilmun Club where they will be from 12pm to 2pm.
At 7pm, they will attend the Poppy Ball which will be held at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s Al Dana Ballroom.
Support
The Poppy Ball is organised in support of the Chelsea Pensioners Appeal, Earl Haig Fund Scotland, and the Children and Mothers Welfare Society Bahrain.
On November 16, they will visit the Capital Club Bahrain for lunch at 1pm and the week-long festivities will culminate with another lunch the following day at the Westin City Centre Bahrain’s Furn Bistro and Bakery.
“The Chelsea Pensioners greatly enjoy their visits to Bahrain and always comment on the hospitality and warm welcome they receive here,” said BBBF chairman Khalid Rashid Al Zayani.
“The support of the community allows us to give the Chelsea Pensioners a memorable experience which they take back and share with their countrymen, thereby promoting a positive image of Bahrain – something which is at the heart of the BBBF mission.”
merlin@gdn.com.bh
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