St George’s Day service brings veterans together in Chichester for 60-year commemoration

The annual St George’s Day service – on Thursday, April 23 – took on added meaning this year, commemorating 60 years since the Royal Sussex Regiment lost its name and became the 3rd Battalion of the Queen’s Regiment.

The event drew a strong turnout, reflecting the enduring bonds among former servicemen and the importance of tradition in maintaining those connections. Following the service, veterans continued their reunion at the Chichester City Club, where they meet regularly on the last Wednesday of each month.

Veterans liaison officer Dave Tilley reflected on the significance of the occasion and the long-standing traditions that surround it.

“We, as veterans, we meet up every St. George's Day for a service at the cathedral,” he said.

"This one was particularly special to us.”

The gathering highlighted not only remembrance but also camaraderie, with veterans travelling long distances to reconnect. For many in attendance, the reunion was also a chance to reconnect with lifelong friends, some dating back to their earliest days of service:

Mr Tilley added: “St. George's Day tends to hold on to the veterans, as you can see by the photographs, there's quite a few of us.

"There were more in the cathedral than there was outside Wetherspoon's – our rendezvous point. The longest traveller came from Canada. “

"We've been doing this for years.

“I met up with veterans there that I joined the army with back in 1964. We were all boy soldiers, joining up at the age of 16.”

The significance of the day was also reflected in a message shared by Chichester Cathedral on social media, highlighting both the spiritual and historical importance of the occasion:

"On St George’s Day, we pause to remember courage, faith, and service,” the Facebook post read.

"Today we honour St George, patron saint of England, and reflect on his witness as a Christian martyr. Beyond the legend of the dragon‑slayer, St George was a Roman officer who was executed in 303 AD for refusing to renounce his faith. His story is depicted behind the altar here in St George’s Chapel, where he stands as a symbol of conviction and sacrifice.

“For over a century, this chapel has also been a place of remembrance for the Royal Sussex Regiment. Restored in 1921, it holds the names of more than 7,300 soldiers who fell in the First World War, with further names from the Second World War recorded nearby.

“Today, we give thanks for all who served by dressing the chapel with poppies and remembrance crosses collected over many years. This morning, we held a Royal Sussex Regimental Association St George’s Day Act of Remembrance, marking the 60th anniversary of the amalgamation into The Queen’s Regiment, honouring all who sacrificed, and the enduring legacy they leave behind.”

The continued strength of the group, despite the passing of time, speaks to the deep-rooted sense of identity and shared experience among its members. With plans already in place for next year’s 60th commemoration of the Ever Ready Territorial Army battalions, the Chichester veterans’ community shows no sign of letting these traditions fade.