A GROUP of military and civic representatives have gathered to remember a First World War vicar.
The service for the Rev Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy - better known as Woodbine Willie - took place at his graveside in St John’s Cemetery, Worcester, on Sunday.
Mr Kennedy was Vicar of Worcester’s poorest parish, St Paul’s, from 1914 to 1922. He became a legendary First World War army chaplain after handing out New Testaments from one knapsack and cigarettes from another to the troops heading for the battlefront trenches.
Sunday’s graveside service was conducted by Canon Paul Tongue and wreathes were laid on Mr Kennedy’s grave by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Andy Roberts and by the local Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Alan Poyner. Standard bearers led the procession.
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