VIDEO: Thousands remember in Cosby on 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

By Alice Warner

Ten thousand poppies were dropped from a Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft, which was widely used in the Second World War, after a ceremony in Cosby on Remembrance Sunday.

Thousands of people arrived in the Leicestershire village at the St Michael and All Angels Church to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the guns falling silent in 1918 at the end of the First World War.

The vibrant atmosphere 100 years later kept everyone warm as they shared stories of family ancestors from both wars and waited for the poppies to drop over the village.

 

Natali Pepper said: “My husband, Steve Pepper, organised this as he has a huge respect and passion for World War Two but also World War One and other conflicts.

“He is passionate about ensuring younger generations remember and wants to do his bit to pass on the information.

“He isn’t after recognition, he just thinks we should all remember.

“We run The Victory Show, a World War Two event held annually in Cosby. He was able to arrange this today on the back of what we do and who we know.”

The Victory Show includes battle re-enactments, a school visitors day, air show, evening dinner dance and much more, which is enjoyed by thousands every year.

The morning of events on Sunday reminded people just how lucky they are today, announcing the names of those who were lost during the wars and remembering them during the two minutes’ silence.

With the band marching towards the centre of the village, hundreds more people turned up to watch the poppies drop from the very special Second World War aircraft.

After the pilot gauged the winds and the weather, the poppies finally dropped and the crowds of people fell silent watching them dance to the ground.

Mrs Pepper said: “Steve and my 19-year-old son also put out the poppies around Cosby village under the cover of darkness, two nights on the bounce.

“Steve purchased the poppies over two years from a friend representing the RBL Poppy Appeal. He has also had a couple of silhouette soldiers made and placed them within the churchyard in Cosby.”