WE will remember them – Rugby paid respect to the fallen on Remembrance weekend.
The borough’s annual remembrance service and parade took place at the War Memorial gates on Sunday (November 12).
Mayor Maggie O’Rourke and the civic party walked to the War Memorial gates in Hillmorton Road to participate in the parade and service.
Representatives from around 20 contingents, including the 250 Squadron of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, the Royal British Legion and ex-service organisations, gathered in Hillmorton Road to be reviewed by the Mayor before marching on parade to the War Memorial gates.
The Reverend Canon Edmund Newey led the service, assisted by Father Aji Alphonse. Martin Myatt, of the Rugby No.1 branch of the Royal British Legion, delivered the exhortation, while the Mayor’s Cadet, Corporal Arthur Mortimer of the Army Cadet Force (Minden Company) Rugby Detachment, read the Kohima Epitaph.
The Salvation Army provided music for the service.
Following a two minute silence, The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, the Mayor and representatives from the contingents laid wreaths at the memorial gates.
Meanwhile, a parade led by members of Brass Band of Central England, service veterans, members of Rugby Ukrainian Group, and members of uniformed and youth organisations walked to the Hillmorton War Memorial in High Street for a short service, which marked the 60th Anniversary of National Service.
On Armistice Day (Saturday November 11), Rugby Borough Council supported the Royal British Legion in the tradition of a two minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in memory of those who gave their lives for their country.
Maroons were fired at Whitehall Recreation Ground to mark the beginning and end of the silence.
Members of Hillmorton Branch, Royal British Legion, also gathered at Hillmorton War Memorial to observe a two minute silence at 11am.
The Observer would like to thank Peter Realf for supplying pictures of the parade and service.
