A large gathering of residents, veterans, serving personnel, families and schoolchildren came together at Alexandra Park Memorial in Keyham, Plymouth, today (Wednesday, 11 November) to remember those who lost their lives in war.
The Remembrance Day service, which began at 10.53am, saw a strong turnout from the local community, including many schoolchildren, and was led by the chaplain.
The service opened with prayers and an act of remembrance, followed by children from College Road Primary School reading the famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields.
At 11am, a single round was fired from HMS Drake to mark the beginning of the two-minute silence, as those gathered stood quietly to remember the fallen.
A second round was fired at 11.02am to signal the end of the silence. A bugler also sounded the Last Post as part of the commemorations.
Children from College Road Primary School took part in the reading of Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen, including the familiar words:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.”
Those attending joined together in the response: “We will remember them.”
The chaplain also recited the words associated with the Kohima Epitaph:
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
The bugler sounded Reveille, and wreaths were laid at the memorial in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The service continued with prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, and the song We Will Remember Them, before the chaplain gave a final blessing.
Following the ceremony, those attending were invited to Keyham Green Places for tea, coffee and biscuits.
The gathering brought generations of the Keyham community together, with schoolchildren playing a prominent part in remembering those who gave their lives in war.
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post