On Sunday, November 10, ex-service men and women were recognised during a Remembrance Day Service, organised by the Deputy Governor’s Office that paid homage to those who fought in World War I and other conflicts around the world.

Mr. John Cope, an ex-serviceman of the Royal Air Force (RAF) was honoured during the Territory’s annual Remembrance Day Service at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium for giving two decades of service to his country.

Deputy Governor, Mr. David Archer, Jr. presented Mr. Cope with a special award after giving an overview of his time in service.

Mr. Archer, Jr. explained that Mr. Cope joined the RAF in 1952 and served in Berlin, Cyprus, Gan (in the Maldives), Malta, Malaya. He continued by saying that Mr. Cope described his deployment in Malaya as the most difficult because he spent ten days living in the jungle and had to survive on whatever the jungle provided for food.

Mr. Cope arrived in the Virgin Islands in November 1980 at the end of his service and worked for Tortola Yacht Charters until 1984 with First Marine Surveyors until his retirement in 2017.  He has been an active member of the Remembrance Day Service Planning Committee for many years.

In remembrance of the other ex-servicemen and women, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Augustus J.U. Jaspert; Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Matthew and Ex-serviceman, Mr. Simon Welch laid wreaths as symbols of respect for those who contributed to this noble profession. 

Persons in attendance at the Service witnessed a display of ex-servicemen and women, paramilitary personnel, the Girls Brigade and dignitaries participating in a procession led by flag bearers and dignitaries.  The service was chaired by Mr. Russell Jones, an ex-serviceman in the United States Army and recognised a total of 71 veterans living in the BVI and who served in military organisations in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, The Netherlands, South Africa and Barbados.

In the Virgin Islands, Remembrance Day is observed annually on the second Sunday in November, and is set aside to honour and pay tribute to those who fought in World War I and other conflicts as well as those who served in various armed forces.