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HUNDREDS turned out in bright autumnal sunshine on Sunday (November 10) to take part in Bromsgrove's annual Remembrance Sunday parade and services.
Bromsgrove Royal British Legion (RBL) chairman Patrick Smith said this year's commemorations were the best ever attended and those who went along witnessed a historical moment when the town's new Portland stone monument hosted the second half of the event for the first time.
It began at 10.10am with the parade, featuring representatives from Bromsgrove RBL and women's section, the armed forces, veterans, MP Sajid Javid, local councillors, scouts, West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, St John Ambulance, the Bromsgrove Lions, Rotary and Round Table, among others.
That proceeded along the High Street, giving an 'eyes left' at the Odd Fellows Memorial, before journeying down Church Street and up to St John's Church.
There, there was the Act of Remembrance, featuring the Last Post, Exhortation and Reveille, a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths.
Rev Chris Wingfield addressed the packed church and there was screening of We Did Our Bit - Worcestershire Voices. That project saw 11 veterans from across the county recount their own memories of the Second World War.
After the service, the parade travelled down to Crown Close where it split into two.
After the Last Post, Exhortation and Reveille there, representatives from the Burma Star Association and The Far East Prisoners of War laid their wreaths on the Burma Star Memorial and those from other organisations laid theirs at the new memorial.
A handful, including MP Mr Javid, the Bromsgrove Royal British Legion (RBL) and Bromsgrove Royal British Legion Women's Section, laid wreaths at both memorials.
Rev Wingfield said: "I was wonderfully amazed at the number of people who came to take part in this significant and memorable event."
Mr Smith said: "Sunday was the best attended parade ever and the 11th of the 11th went very well.
"It proves the people of Bromsgrove support the Royal British Legion and the armed forces community."
Mr Javid said: "We owe our brave armed forces a great debt, so commemorating our war dead in this public and solemn way every year is extremely important.
"I was honoured to be able to pay my respects to our service personnel by laying a wreath at the new armed forces monument, while my wife, Laura, laid a wreath at the Burma Star memorial."
He also said he was delighted to see how many Bromsgrove residents turned out.
"All those who have served and are serving in our armed forces deserve our deepest respect for their courageous and selfless dedication to our country and its citizens," he added.
Mr Smith did say, however, the organisation of splitting the parade between the monument and the Burma Memorial was a logistical nightmare.
Next year, on Remembrance Sunday, all the wreaths will be laid at the new monument and wreaths will be laid at the Burma Memorial on VJ Day in August.
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Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/12/bromsgrove-falls-silent-to-honour-the-war-dead/
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