RESPECTS were paid to the fallen at Rugby’s annual remembrance service and parade at the War Memorial gates on Remembrance Sunday (November 10).
Mayor Simon Ward and the civic party walked to the War Memorial gates in Hillmorton Road to participate in the parade and service.
Representatives from around 20 contingents, including the 250 Gurkha Signal Squadron (30th Signal Regiment), the Royal British Legion and ex-service organisations, gathered in Hillmorton Road to be reviewed by the Mayor before marching on parade to the War Memorial gates.
Following a two minute silence, The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox, the Mayor, representatives from the contingents and Rugby MP John Slinger laid wreaths at the gates, followed by members of the public.
The Reverend Canon Edmund Newey, Rector of St Andrew’s Church, led the service. Martin Myatt, of the Rugby No.1 branch of the Royal British Legion, delivered the exhortation, while the Mayor’s Cadet, Cadet Sgt Alessia Fracchia of the 29F (Rugby) Squadron of the Air Cadets, read the Kohima Epitaph.
The Salvation Army provided music for the service.
A separate parade – comprising members of Brass Band of Central England, service veterans, members of uniformed and youth organisations – assembled at Hillmorton Ex-Servicemen’s Club and marched to the Hillmorton War Memorial for a short service on Remembrance Sunday.
Meanwhile, youngsters from Rugby Lions’ Cubs, Minis and Junior Girls sections paid their respects remembering the fallen on Remembrance Sunday.
The players, aged between two and sixteen years old, came together as the clock struck eleven to take part in the two minutes silence.
Wreaths were presented from each of the sections to ex-servicemen Major Roger Weddell, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Staff Sergeant Jim Roney of the Royal Corps of Transport, who laid them on the tryline before saluting a play of the Last Post.
Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors Chair Jamie Lambert said: “The players showed impeccable respect as we all came together to remember those
that gave their today for our tomorrow. These players are as young as just two years old, but showed fantastic respect to the wreath presentation ceremony.
“It is important that they understand the sacrifices given by our servicemen and servicewomen to the country to enable us all to live the lives we
do.”
“I would like to thank our ex-service personnel, Roger and Jim, who have once again given up their time to share this experience with the children.”
On Armistice Day (Monday November 11), Rugby Borough Council supported the Royal British Legion in the tradition of a two minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in memory of those who gave their lives for their country.
Maroons were fired at Whitehall Recreation Ground in Hillmorton Road to mark the beginning and end of the silence, while members of the Hillmorton Branch of the Royal British Legion gathered at Hillmorton War Memorial to observe the silence.
All Remembrance Sunday Service pictures kindly provided by Peter Realf.
