Remembrance Sunday in Littleborough

Crowds gathered in Littleborough on Sunday (11 November) to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service, honouring those who died serving their country.

This year, the centenary of Armistice Day fell on Remembrance Service, marking one hundred years since Germany signed the peace agreement ending four long years of fighting, the end of the Great War.

A turning point in world history, the Great War claimed the lives of over 16 million people worldwide, leaving a huge impact on all those who experienced it.

The parade assembled at Hare Hill House before leaving for the memorial via Hare Hill Road and Church Street.

 

 

A reading of the Gathering opened the service, before those gathered sang the hymn, ‘O God our help in ages past’.

The Exhortation followed as 11am struck:

They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, And in the morning,

We will remember them.

The Last Post was sounded by a bugler and standards lowered for the two-minute silence. Standards were raised after the Reveille, followed by prayers.

Wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant, civic VIPs, representative of regular forces, representatives of territorial and reserve forces, representative of ex-service associations, representatives of uniformed public and voluntary services, representatives of cadets and youth organisations, and the vicar of Littleborough.

The Kohima Epitaph was read by a veteran before hymns and the National Anthem.

The Blessing closed the service, and the parade returned to Hare Hill Park via the same route where the band performed.