I could not take pictures during the ceremony so will fill in with words…
We get a letter through the door before Remembrance Sunday reminding us to remove our cars from West St Helen Street during the parade.
Dignatories lined up at the Guildhall at 9:45 and processed behind Abingdon Town Band along East St Helen Street to St Helen’s Church for a church service of remembrance starting at 10 and ending about 10:45.
There is not room round the war memorial for everybody who comes anymore. There were more people than ever this year. Four riflemen stood at the corners of the war memorial. The standard bearers of the uniformed organisations stood at the front. Soldiers, and uniformed groups stood in rank round the memorial, and local people round the outside.
At 11 am the last post was played as the standards were lowered to the wet ground, and then the two minute silence followed. After the trumpet reveille wreathes were laid on the memorial steps to the singing of “Oh God our Help in Ages Past” and the band playing “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Endeth” and The Naval Hymn “Eternal Father”
After the ceremony of remembrance people lined the High Street and the Mayor stood on a platform to take the salute as first the soldiers of the regular army from Dalton Barracks marched past, then the Royal British Legion and veterans, and then many other military and uniformed groups.
Only then did it begin to rain so people were free ro go inside. Many went home and some went to a short reception in the Guildhall where a toast was said to the Royal British Legion, to Abingdon, and to the Queen.
update ———-
Thanks to Sue for a couple of pictures…. veterans with Sea Cadets behind parading from St Helens Church
and some people at the war memorial.
