Pinewood Studios hosted their annual Remembrance Service and tribute of silence today. Joining Pinewood staff and tenants special guest His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe CStJ and representatives from the Royal British Legion of Iver, the RAF, Imperial War Museum, Iver Parish Council, Buckinghamshire Council, and the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU) to pay respects to our armed forces community past and present.
The service, introduced by Corporate Affairs Director Andrew M Smith OBE DL and led by Revd Robert Gooding Vicar of Iver Parish Church, involved two poignant readings and a two-minute silence bookended by the “Last Post” and “Reveille” played by Geoff Lawrence. The readings were delivered by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe CStJ and Air Cdre Sansome. The service included further contributions by Nigel Smales from the AFPU Association with closing remarks from Paul Clark, the last surviving member of the AFPU who trained at Pinewood. Also in attendance was George Sibley, who served in the SAS and at 110 is a longtime supporter of the AFPU. Wreaths of remembrance were laid by Lord-Lieutenant Cadet CS Vieira, Paul Clark, the families of those who served in the AFPU, local Councillors, the British Society of Cinematographers and Pinewood Group CEO David Conway on behalf of Pinewood and Shepperton Studios.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe,
“It is wonderful for me to be able to join Pinewood Studios in their act of Commemoration for Armistice Day 2024. As we unite across faiths, cultures, and backgrounds we remember the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces from the UK and the Commonwealth. This act of collective remembrance is so important to our communities enabling us to honour those who served to defend our freedoms and way of life.”
Paul Clark, the last surviving member of the AFPU,
“The occasion has grown from a small number of ex-army photographers into the magnitude that it is today. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Pinewood Studios and the support of the local community. Special recognition to one Iver Heath parishioner who has only ever missed one of these services through covid, George Sibley Croix de Guerre, who has reached his 110th anniversary.
Thank you to His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire for gracing us with her presence today to further signify the importance of this event.”
In early 1946 a simple dinner marked the end of AFPU and RAF presence at Pinewood Studios in wartime and on Saturday 21 April 1956, the plaque commemorating both Services was dedicated to the members of both Units who lost their lives during the Second World War.
The names on the plaque remember the photographers and cameramen, drivers and despatch riders, flying crews and airmen who lost their lives producing imagery in all theatres of Commonwealth operations which is so highly valued today.
