OF Rifle Club remembers to Remember – and what a day it was

Steve McDowell (G82-86) Captain, OFRC writes : In the process of politely declining an invitation to a decent team shoot, I gave to my opposite number; ex-Gresham’s (boo, hiss!) and former Suffolk County captain (yay!) – the reason we were unavailable.

The Old Framlinghamians Rifle Club has been invited, by the Chaplain himself, to be Guests of Honour at the College’s Remembrance Service on the same date, I said.

It was always a Big Deal when I was there (1982-86), I snivelled. We have three VCs, a couple of George Medals, even a (very rare) Albert Medal to celebrate and numerous DSOs, MCs… etc.

“I’d be amazed if the OFRC could keep silent for two minutes,” he said. He is a mate, I let it pass. *

Yet we did.

And we did so with enormous pride.

Seven of us, from our late 70s to our early 20s (plus Kim ((nee Pope’s)) husband – a serving soldier) attended in company with a friend of mine from my village.

Douglas Cracknell, a Cransford-lad born and bred, is 99 years of age – a Normandy and Arnhem veteran and now an Hon OF because he worked in the College kitchen aged 14 in 1940 before he was called up in 1944, was our guest. It was a massive privilege to have him alongside us with his family.

It was, 38 years after I was last in chapel, yet again a Big Deal.

The members of the CCF were immaculate in their drills and skills; their kit bulled, blancoed and cleaned to the highest standard; the choir magnificent and apt as was the choice and performance of the music.

Then came an address from Major Ben Kendall OF, Coldstream Guards, and former head of house in Garrett, leaving in 2001.

Maj Kendall moved us all with his deeply personal account of leading men, and losing them, in the famously vicious Afghan campaign in its early days.

The entire congregation stepped forward one-by-one-to place a poppy on the altar, each bearing the hand-written name of every fallen OF – more than 250 of them.

The OFRC was (though rarely actually on the range or in competition) for a short while, a unit.

It matters not what is your personal view of this of all days.

This is called Remembrance Day because that is exactly what it is. Not one of us knew the people who bore the names we were remembering – so long are they gone – yet there was barely a dry eye or a throat without a lump in our ranks.

We were reminded what we have been given and it was a chance to reflect that what we have gained from those who gave for us what is called ‘choice’.

So many years later, all of us have freedom to choose, learn and express who we are and; what we want to be – because of them. And, on this occasion, for a short time at least, we were bound together by our togetherness. In simple respect.

And that togetherness was, and evidently still remains for whatever reason, Framlingham College.

I write this in the first person, because it is my recollection. I am respectful that others may have different views of what Remembrance Day is about, but I am confident I will not be contradicted.

So our most respectful and grateful thanks to Rev Brynn Bayman for the generous invitation and the staff and students of the College.

It was, as my children, both OFs, might say: Epic.”

*Addendum: (According to my admittedly imperfect research Gresham’s can claim no VCs – though many distinguished servicemen. They did, however, educate Donald Maclean – one of the most infamous Cambridge Five Cold War traitors who defected to the USSR in 1951. It’s not known if he was a shooter.)

Left to right in the picture : Luke Malcolm (R2016-17), Jim Overbury (S71-79), Steve McDowell (G82-86), Nigel Burnip (S58-65), John Halahan (S72-75), Kim Pope (M2004-09), James Mehta (S67-75) and P, Kim’s husband.