PEOPLE of all ages gathered in cities, towns and villages on Sunday to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The act of remembrance was made all the more poignant due to last year’s commemoration being cancelled and 2021 being the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. 

In Ledbury, a parade and service was held in the High Street from 10.30am followed by a service at St Michael & All Angels church at 11.15am. The street was closed to traffic from 10am to noon.

Among those taking part in a very well-attended parade were veterans, cadets, service personnel, numerous youth groups, school children and local dignitaries.

Dozens of wreaths were laid at the War Memorial, including by town mayor Andy Manns and deputy mayor Phillip Howells. 

At the church service the Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Susan Furnival, gave a Bible reading from Philippians 4. The collection was in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

Lloyd Meredith, a stalwart of the town’s RBL for more than 50 years, said: “I send a sincere ‘thank you’ to all who participated in today’s Remembrance parade and to everyone who attended. A big thank you to the young lady for a good rendition of The Last post and Reveille. Well done.” 

In Newent, Colin Britt was out with his camera for the parade and service outside St Mary’s Church. “Great turnout by all local groups, cadets and Forces personnel and Veterans,” he said.

In Bromyard, there was no parade, but a Remembrance service was held at St Peter’s Church at 10.30am.

Parish churches across the area also held services.

For many, the act of Remembrance is deeply personal and involves more recent losses than the World Wars. 

Lucy Aldridge, the Founder of Bereaved Military Families Support, thanked the chairman of Bromyard RBL and his wife for laying a wreath at the church in memory of her son Rifleman William Henry Aldridge, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. 

The wreath also remembered Private Paul Turner and Corporal Nicholas Andrews, both from Bromyard and both killed on foot patrols in Northern Ireland in 1992 and 1972 respectively. “All three served and died for their country during my lifetime,” she said. “I will always honour and remember them.”