Lest We Forget: thousands pay their respects at Rochdale cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday 2021

Date published: 14 November 2021

Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service at Rochdale cenotaph on 14 November, honouring those who died serving their country.

A uniformed parade marched from outside the Riverside M&S along Riverside Walk, Baillie Street and onto the Esplanade over the bridge before surrounding the cenotaph.

Wing Commander David Forbes DL, President of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion, opened the service in Rochdale centre with The Exhortation after the clock tower struck 11am:

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 and those bearing standards lowered them for the two-minute silence.

Following a reveille, Wing Commander Forbes read The Kohima Epitaph before prayers were read by the Reverend Canon Margaret Smith, Royal British Legion Chaplain.

Wreaths were laid by Mayor Aasim Rashid; the president of the Legion; the saluting officer; the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester; party leaders and a representative for the Rochdale MP; representatives of the three armed forces; police, fire and ambulance officers; the Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations; magistrates and representatives from churches and mosques.

Other organisations, including Brownies, Guides and Scouts, and members of the public also laid their wreaths. 

The Reverend Margaret Smith, Town Centre Chaplain, sang the hymn 'By A Monument of Marble', before a prayer and a reading from the Gospel according to St John were read, followed by a Universal Peace Prayer and the hymn 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past' and the Lord’s Prayer, both read by Reverend Anne Gilbert, Vicar of Rochdale. 

The Blessing and the National Anthem closed the service, before the parade marched along the Esplanade and in front of the currently closed town hall. 

Wooden crosses adorned with poppies had also been added to the Memorial Gardens, some bearing the names of those who had fought in the wars, whilst others recognised the sacrifice given by all who gave their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Sunday service and parade in Rochdale, 14 November 2021