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A British pensioner is flying into Bahrain tomorrow on a mission to visit the final resting place of his best friend who was tragically killed in the kingdom in a freak incident whilst serving in the British Army.
Colin Waite, now aged 74, was ‘inseparable’ from Brian Holroyd during their teenage years growing up in the north of England and after 55 years of searching he finally managed to track down his pal’s grave with the assistance of The Very Reverend Chris Butt, Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral.
Brian was electrocuted in 1959 after touching a faulty record player at the age of 20 and was buried far from home in the Old Christian Cemetery in Bahrain.
The cathedral’s congregation has offered to provide accommodation for the visitor during his week-long stay and the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) will cover the cost of his airfare.
Brian has been invited to join the Bahrain community as it remembers fallen servicemen, commemorates Armistice Day with a Poppy Ball and holds a Remembrance Sunday Service which this year marks the centenary of the start of the First World War.
In a touching tribute, Colin, a father of six, who now lives in a small Cumbrian village called Brigham, near Cockermouth, with his wife, Mandy, has penned an article about his long-lost pal that is being featured inside this week’s issue.
He said: “Brian may have died a long time ago but his friendship has stayed with me all my life. Someone once said that we were more like brothers – I think that best describes it.
“This might sound foolish but I want to stand at Brian’s graveside and have a quiet chat.”
After finally tracking down the whereabouts of his friend’s grave he ‘plucked up the courage’ to make contact with the church authorities in Bahrain.
“The call was answered by a warm and sympathetic gentleman whom I now know as Chris,” he said. “With the absolute minimum delay he not only located the grave but took photographs of the cemetery and the grave and forwarded them onto me.
“I cannot describe my feelings when I realised the search was over. Chris then invited me over to Bahrain for the Remembrance Day Service. I cannot thank him enough, not only for what he did but also for the manner in which he did it.
“I am also deeply indebted to a member of the congregation for the very kind offer of accommodation during my stay in Bahrain.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I began to make contact but one thing I have found overwhelming is the understanding and generosity. I am so looking forward to meeting them.”
The Dean was delighted to have been of assistance and said: “I encouraged Colin to come out to Bahrain during Remembrance Week, when the Chelsea Pensioners are here, and perhaps to link in with some of their programme. This he is now going to do – his flights are booked.”
The main Remembrance events are:
*l The Poppy Ball on Friday, November 7, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain.
* Remembrance Sunday Service on Sunday, November 9, at 6.15pm attended by ambassadors, military personnel, Chelsea Pensioners and is open to all.
* Armistice Day on Tuesday, November 11, in the Old Christian Cemetery – a major civic event attracting ambassadors, senior military from the US and the British Royal Navy and community leaders. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 10.45am at the latest. There will be an Act of Remembrance and wreath-laying on the War Memorial.
The BBBF will be hosting three of Britain’s war heroes in the kingdom over the Remembrance Day weekend, with a cultural tour of Bahrain and the laying of the traditional Remembrance Day poppy wreath. A minute’s silence shall be observed, marking the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11am, November 11), heralding the time in the United Kingdom when armistice became effective in 1918.
The Chelsea Pensioners – as they have commonly become known due to their residence in Chelsea’s Royal Hospital in London – fall under the auspices of the Royal British Legion, a UK charity that provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependents.
The Chelsea Pensioners visits to Bahrain have become an annual occurrence, and Khalid Al Zayani, chairman of the BBBF, said that this would not be possible without the support of local businesses.
He added: “The Pensioners greatly enjoy coming to Bahrain and always comment on the hospitality they receive here. This year is particularly special since it marks the 100th anniversary since the events of 1914. I would like to thank those who have supported this year, including British Airways, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gulf Brands International, EuroMotors, The Bookcase, Dilmun Club and British Club, the Royal Golf Club, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
“The support of the community allows us to give the 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.”
This year’s Pensioners are Patrick Teegan, 72, Samuel Cameron, 70, and Peter John Caiger, 71. In addition to British Airways providing air tickets, the servicemen coming this year will be provided with six days accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and a chauffeur-driven Land Rover LR4 courtesy of Euro Motors for the duration of their stay.
Activities include a trip to the BIC and visits to the British School of Bahrain and St Christopher’s School. The agenda also includes social events at the Dilmun Club and a traditional fish ’n’ chips supper at the British Club, a visit to the Royal Golf Club, along with a cultural experience tour of the island.
The remembrance poppy (a Papaver rhoeas) has been used since 1921 to commemorate soldiers who have died in war. Inspired by the First World War poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, they were first used by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers who died in that war (1914–1918).
Lest We Forget are three words renowned across most countries to show our remembrance of those who have served, fought, and those who have died.
