Crowds lined Swansea city centre this afternoon as veterans, serving personnel, cadets and pipers marched in the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Parade.
The parade led to a Service of Remembrance at Swansea Minster, where civic dignitaries, veterans, members of the armed forces, their families and cadets gathered.
Swansea Council thanked everyone who took part, and the crowds of “enthusiastic supporters lining the route”. It called the parade “a respectful and poignant way to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in defence of our country”.
Lord Mayor Penny Matthews takes the salute outside Swansea Market
Civic dignitaries took the salute from a stand outside Swansea Market, led by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Penny Matthews.
With her were the Lord Lieutenant and council leader Rob Stewart. The council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, joined them.
Cllr Matthews said Remembrance Sunday was “a symbol of our collective gratitude as a community and a nation to those who went into harm’s way protecting our freedom, and those who still do”.
She added: “I’d like to thank everyone who serves and everyone who participated in events in communities around the city for their commitment.”
Medals, feather bonnets and Legion standards on the march to Swansea Minster
Veterans marched with their medals pinned to blazers and berets on, followed by sailors in uniform, with sea, army and air cadets also on parade. Swansea Pathfinder Club, the youth group of Swansea Seventh-day Adventist Church, marched with its own band.
The City of Swansea Pipe Band marched in kilts and feather bonnets, and standard bearers carried the colours ahead of the service.
The council says it worked with the city’s Royal British Legion to put the parade on.
Hundreds fall silent at the seafront Cenotaph
Earlier, hundreds stood in silence at the seafront Cenotaph for the National Two Minute Silence, the council says, with the Lord Lieutenant leading the city’s tribute.
People also paused at businesses, homes and memorials across the city, while Cllr Stewart, the Lord Mayor and other councillors went to Remembrance ceremonies in their own communities.
Cllr Stewart said: “As councillors, we were proud and humbled to be in the communities we serve as part of commemorations that tell the story of the sacrifice and service of our armed forces.”
Councillors had been at events across Swansea, he said, “to express the gratitude of our communities to veterans and current members of the armed forces for what they do for us”.
Cllr Lewis said: “Communities in Swansea have a long and proud history of service in the armed forces. Our support for past and current members of the armed forces is unstinting and year-round.”
Armistice Day: the 7.18am wreath train and the 11am silence
Remembrance goes on into Wednesday, Armistice Day, when Swansea’s wreaths leave for London on the 7.18am train after a service on the station platform.
The council’s Swansea Remembers event is in Paxton Street at 10.30am, ahead of the Two Minute Silence at the Cenotaph at 11am. Every Remembrance time in the city is here.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
