Former Army chaplain says remembrance is 'poignant'

The Reverend Chris Groocock completed three tours of Afghanistan

A former Army chaplain said it is more important than ever to remember the victims of conflict.

Reverend Chris Groocock, vicar of Holy Sepulchre Church, Ashington, Northumberland, served in the British Army from 1997 to 2016.

During that time he completed three tours of Afghanistan where he said he saw "real courage".

He said Remembrance Sunday was always "very poignant" when people gathered and thought about fallen colleagues.

Mr Groocock, 63, was involved in more than 50 repatriation services for those killed in Afghanistan.

His first tour was in 2003 when there were just two chaplains serving in the whole country. He then returned in 2007 and finally in 2010 for seven months, a tour he described as "really intense".

He was the coordinating chaplain in Camp Bastion which meant he was often the first to be called when a soldier was killed or badly injured.

Like all the chaplains, he would regularly go out on patrol and said he remembered witnessing "incredible courage".

At a forward operating location waiting for a helicopter to go back to Camp Bastion

"I remember one day seeing two young soldiers and they really didn't look well. And their sergeant came over and he said two of their friends had been killed on patrol the day before," he said.

"And I watched them put on their packs and pick up their weapons. It was the most impressive thing for me to see them put their bags on and go out the gates, facing their fears. That was real courage."

He also played an important role in the repatriation ceremonies in Afghanistan following the death of a soldier.

He said: "The hospital chaplain would hand the coffin on to me and I would walk it on to the C17. And then there would be prayers and the Last Post would be played and then all the lights would go out as the tailgate was closed.

"We would always have a vigil service as well and, at times, there could be 2,000 people there and it was so profoundly special and we always played the Last Post at that as well.

"I can remember now looking at the ground, well sand really, and at the faces of the soldiers all around me. I'll never ever forget it"

Mr Groocock said memories flood back for him around Remembrance Sunday

Mr Groocock now regularly leads Remembrance Day services in the UK.

"I think every military person would say we're always thankful and we remember all year, but on Remembrance Sunday it becomes very poignant when you gather and lots of memories flood back and you think of those whose lives have been lost.

"And we see all that's going on in the world now in Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza and it's a moment to be quiet, and think of the horror and terror that is war, and pray that it may stop."