Swansea fell silent at 11am today for Armistice Day. Veterans, councillors and members of the public stood together at the seafront Cenotaph.
Standards were lowered to the paving and salutes held through the two minutes, with the Lord Lieutenant at the front of the gathering and sea and army cadets standing among the veterans and serving personnel.
Council leader Rob Stewart carried the authority’s wreath to the memorial. Beside him, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, carried another.
Wreaths were also laid at the Boer War memorial next to the Cenotaph, where the Lord Mayor, Cllr Penny Matthews, placed hers. The Royal British Legion was among those represented.
Cllr Matthews said the city had “stood together to remember those who went into harm’s way to protect the freedoms we enjoy, and those who continue to serve our country today”.
She added: “Seeing people come together at the Cenotaph and at events across our communities is a powerful expression of our shared gratitude. I’d like to thank everyone who took part and helped Swansea remember.”
Silence at the two bridges, in SA1 and in the city centre
The Cenotaph was one of several places where people gathered. The council’s Swansea Remembers event was held in the city centre, with ceremonies too at the Kilvey Memorial at the two bridges and at the Merchant Navy Association memorial in SA1.
Swansea Council staff stopped work for the silence in civic buildings, the authority says.
Row after row of small wooden crosses, each carrying a poppy, stand in the Royal British Legion’s Garden of Remembrance, watched over by silhouettes of First World War soldiers.
Swansea’s wreaths left for Paddington at first light
The day had started early at Swansea railway station. The city’s wreaths were put aboard the 7.18am to London after a service on the platform.
They travel with hundreds of others collected by Great Western Railway across its network, to be laid at the war memorial on Platform 1 at Paddington.
‘Humbling to stand alongside veterans’
Cllr Stewart said Armistice Day “gives us time to pause and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of generations of service personnel”.
He added: “It was humbling to stand alongside veterans, residents and fellow councillors as Swansea paid its respects. Our communities have once again shown how deeply remembrance and respect for our armed forces are embedded in our city.”
Cllr Lewis said: “Swansea has a long and proud tradition of service in our armed forces, and today has shown once again how much that service means to our communities.”
Remembrance was “an important moment in the year”, she said, “but our commitment to serving personnel, veterans and their families continues throughout the year”.
The Guildhall is due to be lit poppy red this evening.
Today’s silence closes a week of Remembrance in the city, which saw pipers, veterans and cadets march to Swansea Minster on Sunday.
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