The UK & Commonwealth Service of Remembrance (Dzień Pamięci Poległych Zołnierzy Wspölnoty Brytyjskiej) took place at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków on Friday, 7th November 2025.
Group Captain Chris Brown, the British Defence Attache, led the service, including the traditional reading from ‘For the Fallen’, the ode of Remembrance.
They shall grow not old
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
We will remember them
The UK & Commonwealth Remembrance Service is held at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Krakow, Poland, organised by the British Embassy in Poland. This annual ceremony brings together diplomats, military representatives, veterans, and the local community to honour those who gave their lives in service. The service includes wreath-laying, prayers, and moments of reflection,
The traditional lament “Flowers of the Forest.” was performed by Lindsay Davidson on bagpipes and recorded especially for this video
The Commonwealth War Cemetery in Kraków is the largest of the four Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Poland. It contains the graves of 484 Servicemen from the following countries: United Kingdom (347), Canada (15), Australia (22), New Zealand (26), South Africa (50) India (2) and Poland (22). Additionally, there are 3 which are entirely unidentified and 24 civilian graves, while memorial plaques commemorate 2 British soldiers originally buried in the Krolenskahta Jewish Cemetery but whose graves are now lost.
It is the last resting place of men who died in the various prisoner of war camps in Poland and of airmen who lost their lives during supply drops for the Warsaw Uprising or on bombing missions over the German occupied Poland.
‘The traditional lament ‘Flowers of the Forest’ (Flooers o the Forest) was performed, on the great highland bagpipes, by Lindsay Davidson www.teachyourselfbagpipes.co.uk recorded especially for this video.
The print – Lest we Forget (which features in the end credits) is by Andrew Hillhouse www.andrewhillhouseprints.co.uk
Our Photos from the Service of Remembrance 2025 in Kraków.
(use controls in panel above, or click on link below)
Service of Remembrance 2025, Kraków – Google Photos Album
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 25 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
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