Saturday 11th December brought a cold, clear winter morning as groups of medal wearing veterans assembled outside Selby Abbey. They were attending the presentation of new Standards by VIPs. invited by The Regimental Association of The First Battalion, The Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire (1PWO) After almost 40 years of constant use, the original Branch Standards were to be laid up with honour and replaced by new ones funded entirely by the efforts and donations of Association members and friends.

The Association has branches across the whole of Yorkshire and although 1PWO now forms part of the Yorkshire Regiment, its long history is exemplified by its Battle Honours and by its Regimental march, “Ca Ira”. This was a French Revolutionary tune played by Napoleon’s army at Waterloo, 1PWO’s antecedent regiment decided to play it back to the advancing French infantry and cavalry and it became the official Regimental march after the battle was won.

Among those invited to present a standard was Major Stan Hardy TD DL (known to us as W Bro Stan Hardy PPJGW) although he was invited not as a Mason but as a former serving officer of 1PWO and now the President of both the Yorkshire Volunteers Regimental Association and the Leeds Central Branch of the Royal British Legion. He was not the only Mason on parade that morning as there were many veterans who are Masons in both Yorkshire Provinces present.

After the presentation, the new standards, surmounted by white roses, were marched into the Abbey for a consecration and blessing during a service attended by all. They were paraded out of the Abbey to the accompaniment, of course, of “Ca Ira”.

Stan was thrilled and honoured to be asked to present and to have the opportunity to meet some former comrades with whom he served in the early 1970s and beyond. It was also a time to remember those who are no longer with us but who will never be forgotten.