AN officer from RAF Odiham has had the honour of taking a leading role in a specially commissioned ‘Lamplight of Peace’ ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

Flight Lieutenant Sophie Rimmer read a poem from an unknown airman, on behalf of the RAF and the RAF Benevolent Fund, in a unique ceremony during which a lamplight was lit at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Commemorating the end of the First World War and the tunnellers, soldiers, sailors and merchant seamen who lost their lives, the date marked the first day of the last 100 days before Remembrance Sunday on November 11.

The event was part of ‘Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute’ organised by International Pageantmaster Bruno Peek to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War.

The lighting of the Lamplight of Peace signalled the beginning of the 100-day journey of the lamp which will spend 25 days each with the four military charities involved in the initiative - The Royal Naval Association, ABF The Soldiers Charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund, and the Merchant Navy Association.

The focal point of the mounted ‘Lamplight of Peace’ is an original Bonnetted Clanny Lamp that would have been used by miners in British coalfields and subsequently in the tunnels.

The four sides of the wooden base on which it stands displays strands from German and British barbed wire of the period, coal from the last major British coal mine, shards of trench post and soil from a First World War trench near Ypres, ballast from the railway line where the Armistice was signed in Compiegne, France, and a replica of a Victoria Cross.

Mr Peek said: “The tunnellers are some of the great unsung heroes of the Great War. They fought their war underground, constantly surrounded by darkness and danger as they dug explosive-packed tunnels beneath enemy lines. Their extraordinary bravery has largely been forgotten but I hope that this event will serve to shed some light in the work they undertook in unimaginable conditions”.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “The Lamplight of Peace, indeed the entire Battle’s Over commemorative campaign, is a truly fitting way to remember an important time in not only the Royal Air Force’s history, but our country’s too.

“The RAF Benevolent Fund has stood side by side with those in the RAF family for a century, and this poignant tribute does much to show that through darkness comes light and hope.

“On behalf of the Fund, and the Royal Air Force, I am constantly inspired by the strength shown by serving personnel, veterans and dependants; it is only fitting to remember them all through the lighting of this lamplight.”

Flt Lt Rimmer, of RAF Odiham, said of her part in the ceremony: “It was a true honour to represent the RAF on this momentous occasion. I’ve never seen the inside of Westminster Abbey before, so to give a reading in front of so many of my esteemed tri-service colleagues was very humbling.

“I’ve been in the RAF for four years now, and my father served for 25 years as well, so I fully appreciate the sacrifices made by generations before me.

“I was delighted the RAF Benevolent Fund asked me to attend the service. Over the past two years they have spent more than £500,000 at RAF Odiham alone, whether that’s emotional, physical or financial support – it was a real pleasure to be able to give something back.”

On completion of the lighting ceremony, the lamp was passed into the care of Warrant Officer Paul Jackson RN and the Chaplain of the Fleet, Reverend Martin Gough.

The lamplight was taken to Portsmouth and arrived by sea at the Historic Dockyard.

For the RAF’s 25-day period, the Lamplight of Peace will be held at St Clement Danes, the RAF’s Chapel on The Strand, London, from September 22 until October 18.

At the end of the 100 days, The Lamplight of Peace will be returned to the Abbey by members of the Merchant Navy Association, before the 6am start of events, on the morning of Sunday, November 11, from the Mariners Chapel in All Hallows’ by the Tower of London.

The lamp will be positioned alongside the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, where a lone piper will then play Battle’s O’er.

Later that night, the Dean of Westminster will use the flame from the lamp to light a First World War beacon of light at Westminster Abbey, the first of more than 1,000 being lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories as part of ‘Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute’.