West Country Observes Remembrance Day Silence

Communities throughout the West Country observed a moment of silence this morning to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Commemorative events, including parades, church services, and wreath-laying ceremonies, took place across the region, culminating in a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT. Various locations, such as places of worship, parks, bustling city centres, and even a pier, served as focal points for remembrance. Thousands of individuals participated, ranging from active and retired military personnel to cadets, scouts, and members of the general public, all gathered to honour fallen members of the Armed Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Kearse, a commanding officer in the Queens Royal Hussars who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, attended the service this morning in Tidworth, Wiltshire. He conveyed to the BBC: “I like to reflect on those that have gone before us, especially in my regiment”For me, it’s those I’ve served with over the years, but also my family and the families of those I’ve served with because as we all know, everybody pays a price when we have to deploy.” Hundreds of handmade poppies were displayed overlooking Clevedon Pier, where a service was conducted to mark the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed on the iconic structure, a scene replicated nationwide this morning, with a rocket fired to signal the commencement of the silence. In Weston-super-Mare, a ceremony was held this morning, following a parade that saw cadets, military personnel, scouts, and guides march from the High Street to the war memorial in Grove Park. Additionally, a field of remembrance has been established to the right of the memorial, providing a space for people to leave their personal tributes to the fallen. Thousands of attendees lined the streets in central Bristol for the city’s annual parade and service, which was centred around the cenotaph. The Bishop of Bristol led a prayer during the proceedings, and messages from various faith leaders were also shared after the wreath-laying. St Mary’s Church in Yate was filled with people for this year’s remembrance service, which succeeded a parade through the town centre. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.