A SPECIAL service was held on Saturday to pay tribute to the soldiers killed during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Richard Shaw, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, explains. All photos were taken by Jodie Stilgoe.

We hold an annual Drumhead Service to commemorate the fact that 3,200 Scottish and English soldiers were killed during the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. 

Additionally the Cromwell Association hold a Cromwell Day every year on or near September 3. Cromwell was victorious at the battles of Dunbar 1650, and Worcester September 3, 1651, He died on September 3, 1658, so that is an important day for them as well as us.

This year they decided to hold their Cromwell Day in Worcester, hosted by the Battle of Worcester Society.  A wreath was laid on the commemoration stone in the Courtyard of the Commandery and at 2.15pm a service was held in the Lady Chapel of the Commandery, conducted by Canon Michel Brierley. 

At 5pm there was a parade from the Guildhall to the Commandery with the Mayor of Worcester Councillor Jabba Riaz, and members of the Battle of Worcester Society and the Cromwell Association.  The parade was led by The Worcester Militia, 10 Civil War re-enactors, with flags and drums. Members of the public were also invited to join in.

At The Commandery the Cardinal’s Hat had set up a 17th century bar, which was enjoyed by all. 

At 6.40pm there was a parade from the Commandery to the top of Fort Royal Park, again led by the Worcester Militia and the mayor. 85 people were present in the park when a replica Civil War cannon sounded to open the service.  

I explained that the intention was to regard this date as a Remembrance Day for the dead of the English Civil War where 85,000 men were killed in combat, including 3,200 at the final battle of the war in Worcester. Over 100,000 civilians died from war related disease or starvation.

Professor Peter Gaunt, president of the Cromwell Association, gave a short address with the words of Hugh Peters, chaplain to the Parliamentary Army after the Battle of Worcester, when he said, “When your wives and children ask you where you have been and what news, tell them you have been at Worcester, where all our troubles began and where they are now happily ended.”  

He was referring to the first battle of the Civil War at Powick Bridge in 1642 and the last battle on the streets of Worcester. 

A service was given by Canon Michael Brierley and the Worcester Militia Musketeers fired a volley to mark the beginning and end of one minute’s silence.