Honouring their sacrifice

Colleagues at Mount Pleasant mail centre observed a two-minute silence as part of a memorial service to commemorate the centenary of the official end of the First World War.

A special tribute was made to former Post Office colleague, George John Harvey, who was killed in action in May 1915. Mrs Miriam McCree, George’s granddaughter, attended the service and laid a wreath at the Mount Pleasant war memorial in his honour.

Sergeant George John Harvey was a member of the cavalry regiment, the1st King’s Bays Dragoon Guards. During his time in the trenches, a fellow soldier, who was also an artist, painted a portrait of George sitting on his beloved horse, Harvey.

After George was killed, the painting was passed to his family. The original now resides in Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier. Mrs McCree brought a copy of the painting and placed it against her grandfather’s inscription on the Mount Pleasant war memorial alongside her wreath. George’s body was never found.

Leads from each function laid 10 wreaths at the memorial. Two more were added by plant manager, Kimberley McIntosh and postman and Royal Navy reservist of more than 40 years, chief petty officer, William Wright.

Royal Mail pastor, Darren Street, delivered the memorial service and following a two-minute silence to honour those who sacrificed their lives in the Great War, offered the below prayer for peace.

‘We thank you that we now live in a nation of relative peace. We pray that we may learn the lessons of the past and seek to live in peace.

‘As we remember today that in the Great War 100 years ago fighting ceased, we pray that the scenes of conflict and violence that we have become used to seeing on our streets today would also come to an end and that we would learn to resolve our differences peacefully.

‘And finally, we pray especially for any today who are remembering loved ones lost in conflict and we pray too for any who are facing conflict of any kind. Grant them your peace we pray.’

Kimberley said: ‘The service was widely welcomed by colleagues as an opportunity to unite in our appreciation for those who have suffered, or lost their life, in wars.

‘It was an honour to be involved this year and to show our togetherness regardless of age, race, grade or gender.’