MELKSHAM will remember the service and sacrifice of our armed forces on Remembrance Sunday, 13th November, with a church service, a parade of ex-service men and women and serving members of HM Forces and local groups, with the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial.
The church service at St. Michael and All Angels Church starts at 10.00am and will last for around 45 minutes. The parade will start from King Street car park at approximately 10.45am and proceed to the War Memorial in Canon Square for the two minutes’ silence, the Last Post, reveille, hymn, reading, prayers, Act of Commitment and the National Anthem, before the laying of wreaths.
The parade will then march back to King Street and a salute will be taken by major general Darren Crook.
“At Remembrance, we remember and commemorate all of those who fought, and died or were injured in their line of duty to serve our country and keep peace,” said Melksham mayor, cllr Simon Crundell.
“Peace, that most precious and hard-fought of states of mankind is particularly poignant as we consider the war on our own continent in Ukraine. The price of war is devastating, and it is important that we continue to come together to pay reverence to those who sacrificed their life so that we may live in freedom and in peace.
“If you can, please join us on Remembrance Sunday. After the 10:00 service in St. Michael’s Church we will congregate for two minutes’ silence at the war memorial and a wreath laying ceremony before the parade makes its way back through the town.”
This year’s event has been organised jointly by Reverend Charlie Thomson, Greg McKay from the Air Cadets, Trevor Paterson from Royal British Legion and Melksham Town Council, which will give the local community an opportunity to attend and pay their respects.
All ex-service men and women and serving members of HM Forces are welcome to take part in the parade and should report to the parade commander in King Street car park from 10am. The Market Tavern will be providing bacon and sausage sandwiches and tea in the morning of Remembrance Sunday for £1, with all proceeds going to charity.
• For Armistice Day on Friday 11th November, a small service and two minutes’ silence with a bugler playing the Last Post, will take place at the War Memorial, Canon Square at 11am, to which all are welcome.
