Derbyshire officer takes part in the Festival of Remembrance

One of Derbyshire’s officers will represent the National Police Chiefs’ Council in the Festival of Remembrance in London on Saturday. Inspector Guy Fillipich was chosen to take part following a national nomination process.

Every year the Royal British Legion hosts the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The event is dedicated to all those who have served and sacrificed. It serves as a poignant reminder of those who have lost their lives, or who have suffered life changing injuries in battle. It also celebrates those who work to support those currently serving in the Armed Forces, and the families who have suffered a loss.

Insp Fillipich served in the British Army for ten years and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He specialised in security and counterintelligence. On his return, he was selected as an instructor for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he led members of his platoon to further successes.

“Being able to take part in the Festival of Remembrance is an amazing privilege and means so much being both a current police officer and a former member of the British Army”, said Guy. 

With members of The Royal Family in attendance on the night, the fallen are remembered through words, song and storytelling. It’s a celebration of service, and alongside the Armed Forces, it recognises the emergency services and volunteers who day in day out place others before themselves.

Guy joined Derbyshire Constabulary in 2019. “I’m proud to have served and I’m proud now being in the police – they are both roles where the public rarely see the true cost and impact of the job, and both require sacrifice.”

Members of the country’s civilian services are invited to attend to take part in the Muster. Starting with the Royal Navy, service personnel and officers from civilian organisations proceed into the hall and stand together.

The event culminates in a Drumhead Service, a simple and dignified ceremony where Regimental drums are placed on top of each other to form an altar. This echoes a tradition dating back to the 1700s, when soldiers about to go into battle required a place for reflection and remembrance of their fallen comrades in the face of difficult times ahead.

Once the drums are stacked, the Standards are lowered, and the Last Post sounds. A two-minute silence is observed as poppy petals fall from above.

“It will be particularly poignant for me as I have friends and colleagues who never made it home from Iraq and Afghanistan. They, and their families, will be at the forefront of my mind.

Guy concludes: “I often think about this quote: ‘The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good people do nothing’. 

“For me, Saturday will be about thinking of and honouring all those who never came home precisely because they didn’t standby and do ‘nothing’”.

The Festival of Remembrance will be shown at 9pm on Saturday 11 November on BBC1.