Ten members of Taurus Chapter met in Ross-on-Wye at 7am to make the journey to the 19th annual Ride to the Wall at the National Memorial Arboretum.

It was particularly good to welcome Richard “Indian” Hall back onto his bike after being sidelined for two and a half months following a leg injury.

With waterproofs on, we headed to Hopwood Services on the M42, meeting members of Worcestershire Chapter along the way. After breakfast – and an unfortunate incident involving Charity Steward Steve “Craiger” Craig knocking Vice President Billy “Joker” Russell’s coffee from his tray – the weather improved and we continued to Tamworth Masonic Hall.

There we joined Widows Sons Chapters from across the country. Following an 11am ride brief, hundreds of Widows Sons took to the road together for the journey into the National Memorial Arboretum, joining thousands of other motorcyclists attending this remarkable annual event.

At 1pm, the Widows Sons gathered at the Freemasons’ Memorial for a moment of prayer and reflection, remembering those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, before attending the main Ride to the Wall service.

The day carried additional personal significance for Taurus. It would have been Joker’s late son Marcus’s 31st birthday, while Craiger’s son Ewan – known within Taurus as “Hunter” – had recently departed for a six-month deployment with the Royal Navy.

The service was both moving and thought-provoking, reminding us that behind every name remembered is a family, friends and a story.

Afterwards, more than 6,000 motorcycles, along with cars and coaches, began the journey home. Our thanks must go to the many volunteers who managed such an enormous undertaking.

For Taurus, it was another memorable day of Freemasonry, motorcycling, brotherhood and, most importantly, remembrance.

We will remember