‘Last Tommy’ Harry Patch remembered during Armistice Day service
Friday 11th November 2011, 2:42PM GMT.
Thousands of people across Shropshire joined the rest of the nation today in paying a silent tribute to fallen war heroes.
Two-minute silences were observed at 11am, the time the guns on the Western Front were said to have fallen silent at the end of the First World War in 1918.
In Telford, a plaque was unveiled in honour of Britain’s ‘Last Tommy’ Harry Patch at the church where he got married.
Mr Patch, formerly of Church Stretton, was the oldest surviving veteran of the Great War before he died in 2009, aged 111.
Mr Patch married Trench-born Ada Billington at Holy Trinity Church, Hadley.
The Reverend Vaughan Sweet dedicated the plaque saying: “All who see this plaque will remember the self-giving and sacrifice that we owe our freedom to, and which still protects our freedom today.”
Hadley and Leegomery parish councillor Ron Plenderleith, who had the idea for the plaque, said: “We shouldn’t forget these old boys. It’s only because of them we are here.”
Newport also fell silent today as residents paid their respects at a Remembrance Day service at the town’s cemetery.
The mayor of Newport, Councillor Roy Scammell was joined by members of the Newport Branch of the Royal British Legion as well as the Newport Army Cadets and the Newport Loyal Volunteers.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
What a wonderful way to help remember those that have fallen before us in gallantry.
Report abuse