SMALL services will take place at St Helens and Earlestown war memorials today (Thursday, November 11), as Britain falls silent in remembrance of the nation’s war dead.
Armistice Day was disrupted last year and many remembered the nation’s war dead from their homes as they were encouraged to stay there to stop the spread of coronavirus.
This year, with restrictions no longer in place, the nation will be able to observe the two-minute silence at 11am together.
Each year, the two-minute silence marks the end of the four-year conflict in 1918 where an agreement between Germany and the Allies was made “on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”.
In St Helens and Earlestown, small services will begin at the war memorials from 10.45am.
Larger events and parades take place at the weekend to mark Remembrance Sunday.
St Helens Borough Council’s armed forces champion, Cllr Lynn Clarke, said: “Remembrance Sunday is a fitting opportunity for us to honour our servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
“Last year was tough not being able to hold live services due to covid restrictions, instead showing our appreciation virtually and in other ways like having poppy road markings installed at fitting locations across the borough – so to see people, young and old, come together once again will be an emotional moment itself and will act as a heart-warming reminder that the St Helens borough will always remember.”
READ>Remembrance Sunday events in St Helens
Nationally, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will attend Westminster Abbey today for the 93rd Field of Remembrance to pay her respects and observe the silence.
At the same time, a single gun will fire from Edinburgh Castle before local government officials from the city will join members of the Armed Forces to lay wreaths at the Scott Monument.
In London, hundreds of wreaths will be travelling to major stations from across the country and seas from locations including the Falkland Islands as part of the Poppies to Paddington and Routes of Remembrance campaigns by The Veterans Charity.
One of the wreaths has already toured the UK and on Thursday will make its way up the Thames before being carried on board HMS Belfast, a surviving Second World War Navy war ship, and taken to the Tower of London.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article