Remembrance Sunday: Shropshire falls silent to remember fallen heroes
'At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them; we will remember them'
The poignant words of Laurence Binyon's For The Fallen poem rung out across Shropshire this morning as the region paid tribute to its fallen heroes.
As well as being Remembrance Sunday – the 11th day of the 11th month – Sunday also marked 100 years since the First World War Armistice. Also known as the Armistice of Compiègne, after the place where it was signed, the Armistice came into force at 11am on November 11, 1918, and marked the end of fighting in the First World War.
Services took place throughout the day across the region.
The main events include at Oakengates where Telford & Wrekin Council hosted a service in partnership with the Royal British Legion and Telford Christians Together. There was a parade of standards and 100 names were read from the roll of honour.
The parade started 10.30am and the route followed Oxford Street, Market Street, from the Salvation Army to Hartshill Park.
In Shrewsbury a civic procession left the castle at 9am via Castle Gates, Castle Street, Pride Hill, Mardol Head and St John’s Hill to St Chad’s Church for a service at 9.45am.
Led by Shrewsbury Brass Band, the musicians struck up its a long way to Tipperary as the parade started from the castle this morning.
A seemingly endless line of military personnel representing every service snaked its way through the town centre down Pride Hill to Shad's Church. Spontaneous applause broke out rippling through the streets as the parade passed by.
Inside the church Canon Alan Fell led an emotional service with readings from the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Peter Nutting, and the station commander at RAF Shawbury, Group Captain Robert Norris, while the archdeacon of Salop Venerable Pail Thomas gave the sermon.
There was also a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the Quarry at 11am. A march past and salute followed at St Chad’s Terrace.
A service at the Royal Air Force Museum, in Cosford, began 10.45am and features Cosford Military Wives Choir and the sounding of the Last Post.
In Bridgnorth the remembrance ceremony began at 10.40am at the Castle Grounds, and was followed by a service at St Leonard's Church. Castle Hall is hosting a community event with refreshments and live entertainment afterwards.
Ludlow’s Remembrance Sunday service was at the Peace Memorial near Ludlow Market at 10.30am. A parade set off separately from Ludlow Castle to the square, which will be followed by the service and wreath laying.
Afterwards there was a parade to St Laurence’s Church for a Parade Service which is open to the public.
Market Drayton's parade assembled in Queen Street car park at 9am, followed by a march to St Mary’s Church.
This year's Newport parade formed at Audley Avenue near Newport Cricket Club at 10.10am and left at 10.15am arriving at St Nicholas Church for the service at 11am.
As a roll call of names was read out, a candle was lit and laid on a table for each Newport soldier who died.
In Wellington there was a procession from Nailor’s Row car park at 10.25am featuring Wellington (Telford) Brass Band to All Saints Church via New Street, Market Square and Church Street for a short outdoor service including wreath laying, followed by a parade to Market Square where the salute was taken.
In Welshpool a procession left the town hall to St Mary's Church for the service.
Beacons of Light also flamed at Bishop's Castle at the playing fields; Clive at Grinshill; Oswestry at Old Oswestry Hillfort; Market Drayton at the town park off Manor Gardens; Much Wenlock at t Windmill Hill off Farley Road; Ludlow at Gallows Band and Sibdon at Sibdon Hill simultaneously at 7pm.
