Crowds fall silent for brave heroes
GREATER Manchester fell silent to honour our war dead on Remembrance Sunday.
In the city centre hundreds gathered at the cenotaph in St Peter’s Square as young and old paid their respects to the fallen.
A procession of veterans, services and ex-services organisations, led by the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums, marched from Peter Street to the cenotaph, where a moving service, led by the Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, was held.
At 11am, the Last Post sounded and then a shot from a 105mm gun marked the start of an impeccably observed two-minute silence.
The silence was broken by a rendition of The Reveille, and then wreaths were laid by civic dignitaries and senior military representatives.
Former soldier Simon Flores, who lost his lower left leg while serving with The Rifles in Basra, Iraq, in 2006, was among the veterans attending the service.
The single dad, who is originally from Kirkby in Merseyside, but who now lives at the Veteran’s Village in Newton Heath, said: “It is really heart-warming and emotional to see so many people here.
“It’s brilliant to see different cultures coming out to pay their respect to the armed forces. It’s just wonderful.”
Irene Wilczynska and Teresa Bereznicka, from Whalley Rangebased Polish Ex-Servicemen’s Association, were accompanying Stefan Abramowicz, 102, and Wladyslaw Niezgoda, 93, both Polish II Army Corps veterans who fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy.
Irene said: “We have participated for the last two or three years in the Manchester service. It’s fabulous that so many people from Manchester come to pay their respects. It makes you feel proud.”
The Lord Mayor of Manchester Coun Eddy Newman, said: “At this morning’s service in St Peter’s Square we remembered and honoured all those who have lost their lives in active service. The people of Manchester turned out in large numbers to show their appreciation and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by all members of the armed forces while performing duty.
“It was an honour to meet with members of the armed services, veterans and their families, and faith leaders to mark this solemn day along with the people of Manchester.”
Dozens of other services took place across the region yesterday.
In Heywood pupils from Woodland Community Primary school were among those who laid wreaths at the memorial in the town centre.
And in Stockport rockets, which could be heard up to two miles away, were launched from the civic complex to mark the beginning and end of the two minute silence.
The Bishop of Stockport, the Right Rev Libby Lane led the service, during which wreaths were laid on the steps of Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.
In Oldham town centre, the Mayor Coun Shadab Qumer led a procession from New Radcliffe Street to the cenotaph opposite the town hall, where it’s estimated about 3,000 people gathered for a service led by the Vicar of Oldham, the Rev Derek Palmer, followed at 11am by a twominute silence.
Afterwards veterans and members of the public laid crosses next to the war memorial in a ‘Field of Remembrance.’ Other services took place in Chadderton, Crompton, Lees, Royton, Waterhead, Bardsley, Dobcross and Failsworth.
In Saddleworth a memorial service takes place tonight at St Chad’s memorial in Uppermill from 7.15pm. All are welcome to attend.