Bath MP Wera Hobhouse planted a remembrance cross at Westminster with Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch, a Bath veteran of 44 years. She laid a wreath on Sunday too.

A Bath veteran who served 44 years in the British Army has planted a remembrance cross at Westminster with the city’s MP, Wera Hobhouse.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Whitchurch MBE joined the Liberal Democrat MP in the Westminster Garden of Remembrance in the week before Remembrance Sunday. The pair planted the cross “in honour of those who have served and lost their lives”, her office said.

44 years with the Royal Engineers

Lieutenant Colonel Whitchurch served with the Royal Engineers. According to the MP’s office, his service included:

  • the Cold War
  • the Gulf War
  • conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan

Since 2017 he has also supported NATO training in the Baltic states and Poland. He did the same in Ukraine until 2021.

Her office describes him as a longstanding supporter of Ukraine. He spoke to the MP about standing alongside Ukraine and “defending democracy and freedom in the face of aggression”.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Whitchurch in uniform jacket, beret and medals, standing beside Wera Hobhouse on the lawn of the Garden of Remembrance, with the Elizabeth Tower behind them
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Whitchurch and Wera Hobhouse in the Westminster Garden of Remembrance, below the Elizabeth Tower. Photo: supplied by Wera Hobhouse

The visit went on inside. The MP showed him around the parliamentary estate, and they watched a debate in the House of Commons. They finished their conversation over tea in the House of Lords.

They talked about public service and the duty of elected representatives to defend democracy. They also discussed what her office called “the growing threats facing those in public life”.

“Not only must our fallen never be forgotten but all of us must continue to learn from them as we look to the future,” Lieutenant Colonel Whitchurch said.

A wreath at the War Memorial on Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday Mrs Hobhouse joined the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Ruth Malloy, at the city’s commemorations. Also there were:

  • members of the Armed Forces
  • the Royal British Legion
  • B&NES councillors and faith leaders
  • members of the public

The MP laid a wreath at the War Memorial for the people from Bath who died in conflict. She then joined the Remembrance Parade outside the Guildhall and followed the Civic Procession to Bath Abbey for the Remembrance service. The day’s times and village services are in our Remembrance Sunday listing.

A line of people holding poppy wreaths at Bath's War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, including a naval officer in dress uniform and a civic official in a black gown
Wreaths at Bath's War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. Photo: supplied by Bath and North East Somerset Council

“We must never take those freedoms for granted”

Mrs Hobhouse said:

“Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of all those who have served our country and those who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world.

“It was a privilege to welcome Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Whitchurch to Parliament and plant a remembrance cross together in the Westminster Garden of Remembrance. Meeting someone who has dedicated 44 years to serving our country was a powerful reminder of what public service means. We spoke about the importance of defending democracy and standing up for the freedoms that so many have sacrificed their lives to protect.

“We must never take those freedoms for granted. We will remember them.”