Memorial services

Charles Sparrow

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of Charles Sparrow was held on Monday at Gray’s Inn Chapel.

The Rev Roger Holloway, Preacher to The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn officiated. The Right Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, led the prayers.

Lord Justice Mummery and the Rev Roger Holloway read the lessons. Mr Charles Sparrow, grandson, read from R. L. Stevenson and Issy Sparrow, granddaughter, read A Personal Poetic Reflection. Mr Patrick Talbot, QC, Treasurer of Gray’s Inn, gave an address.

Among others present were: Mr and Mrs Edward Sparrow (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs Rosamund Elliott (daughter), Mr Robert Sparrow (son), Ms Tamsin Sparrow (granddaughter), Mr Christopher Sparrow (grandson). Among others present were:

Lord Mustill, Lord Justice Ward, Lord Justice Pill, Lord Justice Waller, Lord Justice Jacob, Mrs Justice Bracewell, Sir Iain Glidewell, Sir Paul Kennedy, Sir Michael Harrison, Sir Anthony Evans, Sir Robert Johnson, His Honour Esyr Lewis, QC, and Mrs Lewis, Her Honour Monique Viner, QC, His Honour Harold Wilson, Mr Conrad Dehn, QC, and Mrs Dehn, Mr Julian Jeffs, QC, Mr Brian Higgs, QC, and Mrs Higgs, Mr Richard Stone, QC, Mr David Jeffreys, QC, Mr Michael Harvey, QC, and Mrs Harvey, Mr John Leighton Williams, QC, and Mrs Leighton Williams, Mr Colin Reese, QC, Ms Elizabeth Lawson, QC, Mr Camden Pratt, QC, Mr Henry Carr, QC, Mr and Mrs Michael Huebner, Major-General David Jenkins, Mr James Evans, Mr Adrian Barnes, Mr David Machin, Mr Roger Eastman with many other friends and former colleagues.

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment

A service of thanksgiving and dedication for the Squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment was incorporated into choral matins at a service held on Sunday at St Clement Danes, The Strand.

Group Captain the Rev Richard Lee, resident chaplain, officiated and preached the sermon, assisted by Flight Lieutenant the Rev Dr Giles Legood, Chaplain to 600 (City of London) Squadron RauxAF. Squadron Leader J. Chalcraft, Officer Commanding 2625 (County of Cornwall) Squadron RauxAF Regiment, RAF St Mawgan, and Air Vice Marshal B. H. Newton, Honorary Inspector-General RauxAF, read the lessons.

The Queen’s Colour for the RAF Regiment and the Sovereign’s Colour for the RauxAF were displayed next to the altar by Flight Lieutenant J. Smith, RAF Honington.

During the service carved slate replicas of each of the squadrons’ badges were installed into the marble floor of the church.

Among those present were: Group Captain K. Dipper, Group Captain P. Burt, Mrs B. H. Newton, Group Captain R. G. Kemp, Wing Commander G. Bunkell, Squadron Leader G. Hellard, Air Vice-Marshal T. P. White, Squadron Leader D. D. Johnston, Air Commodore Sir Michael and Lady Oswald, Sir Michael and Lady Beetham, Squadron Leader D. P. G. Aldritt, Air Commodore G. Chesworth, Squadron Leader A. G. Thayne, Air Vice-Marshal J. A. G. May, Colonel E. Bolitho, with former members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment.