By Holly Hume
A Remembrance Parade followed by a service took place in Victoria Park, Leicester, on Sunday in honour of members of the armed forces who have died fighting for the Commonwealth.
The annual parade and service was attended by a crowd of hundreds, including veterans, serving military, Leicestershire Police and Official Dignitaries.
The parade began at De Montfort Hall and made its way to The Arch of Remembrance, where the service was held at 10.55am.
The ’Last Post’ was played as two maroons were fired to announce the start of the service, before the parade was called to stand at ease.
The Deputy Commander, the Lord Mayor and the Lord-Lieutenant on the saluting dais
There were several readings, the most famous of all being ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae, read by The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer Lady Gretton DCVO.
Children from years five and six at Shaftesbury Junior School performed a reading of poetry they had composed for a school project written in pseudonym as local fallen soldiers.
Standard bearers
Hymns were sung and prayers were said for fallen servicemen who are remembered every November.
The Junior Girls and Songmen of Leicester Cathedral and the City of Leicester Singers led the singing throughout the service and The Salvation Army Band played as wreaths were laid on the memorial.
Wreaths laid on the Arch of RemembranceThe Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums carried out a short wreath laying ceremony after the main service.
Drum Major Bruce Meadows of The Seaforth Higlanders Pipes and Drums
World War One claimed the lives of an estimated 887,858 UK military, left 1,675,000 wounded and a further 744,000 soldiers who went missing in action.
Remembrance day began to honour all those lost in World War One, and now honours all those who have been lost in the wars since.Attendees included both locals and visitors who had come far to pay their respects.
The service was sponsored by Leicestershire County Council.
