Northampton's tribute to the fallen
Soldiers and clergymen drew comparisons between the loss of soldiers in two World Wars and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as Northampton remembered servicemen who have died for their country.
Hundreds of poppy-wearing people, many of them ex-servicemen, took part in a Remembrance Day service at All Saints Church, Northampton, followed by two wreath laying ceremonies yesterday.
The hour-long church service saw war-themed readings including those by Brian Markham, the Mayor of Northampton, and Rev Dr Nicolas Aldritt, assistant priest at All Saints Church.
Rev Aldritt said the lessons of past wars could be useful to peopel of today because "in remembering we find grounds for hope in the conditions of hopelessness."
He added: "The First World War was supposed to be the war to end all wars; never again, they said.
"The war to end all wars didn't do that. Since then there has been only one year when no British serviceman or service woman has not been killed in action.
"While we pray for them we remember those in the armed forces now and support them today by our praise."
The theme was taken up outside where the Carlsberg pipe band led sea cadets and Royal British Legion Veterans alike to the back of the church in front of hundreds of spectators for a wreath-laying ceremony and two minutes' silence and at 11am.
Frank Rose, from Rye Hill, who served on Arctic convoys in 1942 taking bank of England gold bullion to Nova Scotia for safe keeping, said: "This day brings back a lot of memories for me but I also think it's important for the children and younger people to know what servicemen go through."
And Craftsman Liam James, who turns 20 today (MON), of the 181 Recovery Company. REME a Territorial Army unit, based in Clare Street, Northampton, who had taken part in his third parade, said he had sensed a deepening public appreciation of soldiers efforts on their behalf.
He said: "Maybe it's because of the media coverage of Afghanistan and Iraq but there was applause from the crowds and there were certainly more people out there for us this year."
The ceremonies concluded with a special wreath laying at the First World War memorial in Abington Square.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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