Led by Reverend Richard Hibbert, Vicar, Holy Trinity Church
Printable leaflet version of the order of service for Communal Grave Remembrance Service
Background history
Over 1,200 people were killed in Coventry during World War II.
Many of these lost their lives in the air raids carried out on the city on the night of 14 November 1940 and in the following year on the nights of 8 and 10 April 1941.
The implications of the high number of deaths in such a short space of time - over 500 people lost their lives in the raid of November 1940 - led to the decision that Coventry was to be the first city of the war to hold a mass funeral.
Two deep trenches were dug, coffins were made of plain oak and laid in rows stacked three deep, with Union Jack flags draped across at intervals.
The first funeral was held on Wednesday 20 November where 172 Blitz victims were buried. Over 1,000 people attended and the service was led by the Bishop of Coventry, Dr Mervyn Haigh.
Following the discovery of more victims, a second mass funeral took place on Saturday 23 November when 250 victims were buried.
In total 808 people are buried at London Road Cemetery. The Garden of Remembrance and Civilian Monument marks where the graves are.
The monument lists the names of those known to be buried there, although not all of those known to have died are listed.
In 2022, the Duke of Gloucester unveiled a plaque in memory of the members of St John Ambulance who lost their lives during World War II. There were nine volunteers who died on duty during the Blitz 1940-41.
The cemetery also contains over 200 Commonwealth service war graves. These include an officer and six men of a Royal Engineers bomb disposal team who were killed at Whitley Common when a bomb they were working on after an air raid exploded.
The Greeting
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8
Words of welcome
Reading by Professor Simon Brake
“The Beatitudes” from Matthew 5.1-12
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is the word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
Prayers
Leader: May God give peace
ALL: God give peace
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
Exhortation
Recited by ex-serviceman Mr Jim Ramsey
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
ALL: We will remember them.
Sounding of The Last Post followed by a two minutes silence
Reveille
Laying of Wreaths
Led by The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi.
Everyone is welcome to follow to lay their own tributes.
Closing prayers
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women:
that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
ALL:
Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind, in the cause of peace,
for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage;
give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always.
Amen.
Blessing
Kohima
Recited by ex-serviceman Mr Jim Ramsey
When you go home, tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.
The National Anthem
(1st verse only) (accompanied by RB Ferris)
God save our gracious King
Long live our noble King
God save the King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the King.
Following the Service, everyone is invited to join Reverend Hibbert for a short act of commemoration at the nearby Commonwealth War Graves amongst which are the final resting places of seven men from the Royal Engineers who were killed when a bomb they were working to diffuse after an air raid exploded.