CITY PAUSES TO REMEMBER FALLEN
CROWDS stood shoulder to shoulder as they paid their respects to those fallen in war at a memorial in Cardiff.
Veterans, youngsters and people from all walks of life converged on Cathays Park at the Welsh National War Memorial yesterday to pause and remember the tremendous sacrifice made in the First World War, which ended on November 11, 100 years ago.
It was a moving tribute to those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
David Llewellyn, 72 from Rumney, Cardiff and Roy Boobyer, 82, also from Cardiff, were glad to see young and old standing alongside each other in respect of the fallen.
Mr Llewellyn, who served in the Army Reserve for eight years, said: “We’ve done this every year and it’s a good time for the old fellas and the youngsters to get to really know what the war was actually like, what they did for us.”
Meanwhile, Mr Boobyer, who served in the RAF between 1954-58, added: “It’s just to recognise the people who served.”
Other forces veterans were glad to see troops being recognised for the contribution they had made.
Chris Howell, 50, who was also at the Cardiff service, said: “I served 26 years in the Royal Air Force Police as a dog handler. I’ve done Afghani- stan, Iraq and Bosnia and it’s impor- tant to show respect for the freedom we have in this country and our fallen friends.”
Keith Pritchard, 59, said following decades of service with the Reserves, he wanted to show his thoughts were with the war dead and added: “I’ve served just short of 39 years in the Royal Air Force Medical Corps Reserves and I’m here to show my respect for all the people that passed away during service.”
The National Service of Remembrance for Wales at Alexandra Gardens in Cardiff was followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at Llandaff Cathedral yesterday afternoon.
First Minister Carwyn Jones and Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns were joined by Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex at the Llandaff service, along with other invited guests.
Mr Jones, who was also at the service in Cathays Park yesterday morning, said: “(It) gives us an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices servicemen and women have made to ensure our freedom today.”
Archbishop of Wales John Davies reflected on how messages of peace without commitment and effort to make it a reality waste the victory so heavily fought for in the First World War.
He said: “Tragically, the gift of peace with which the world was presented 100 years ago has regularly and bloodily been squandered in many different places and in many subsequent years.
“But if this leads us to simply view
prayers and messages of peace as expressions of admirable sentiments but unattainable ideals, we risk emptying today of real meaning.”
Stark figures show between 1914 and 1918, around 237,000 men and boys from Wales – 20% of the male population – served in the First World War with 38,000 dying.
The service was organised by the Welsh Government to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
For the centenary, around 100 beacons of light were also lit across Wales.