Wales’ war dead honoured at city service
REMEMBRANCE services honoured the nation’s war dead yesterday, as communities throughout Wales and the UK marked Remembrance Sunday.
A two-minute silence was observed at services in towns, villages and cities.
Wales’ national observence of Remembrance Sunday took place in Cardiff. Detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets and Cadet Forces marched past City Hall and along King Edward VII Avenue to the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park.
Those detachments were joined by columns of ex-servicemen and women, organised by the Royal British Legion, and columns of civilians representing organisations connected with current and past conflicts. Singing was led by the Cardiff Military Wives Choir and the Cardiff Arms Park Male Voice Choir.
First Minister Mark Drakeford, who was among those who attended the event, said it was “an honour to join others at the Welsh National War Memorial to lay a wreath remembering all those who have served and continue to serve their country”. He added: “Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
THE King has honoured the nation’s war dead for the first time as monarch and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London in remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thousands of veterans proudly wearing their medals, military families and the public packed Whitehall for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony yesterday and watched as Charles placed his floral tribute at the base of the memorial on Whitehall.
In recent years, Charles had performed the role on behalf of the Queen as the Prince of Wales, but as the first chimes of Big Ben rang out at 11am on Sunday and a two-minute silence began, he stood before the Cenotaph in his role as head of state.
A volley from a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from nearby Horse Guards Parade rang out to signal the start of the moment of silent reflection, punctuated by the sound of London traffic, and another loud blast marked its end.
Charles laid his wreath, its design a tribute to ones used by his late mother and grandfather George VI and it featured his racing colours, after buglers from the Royal Marines played the Last Post.
The wreath was soon joined by others left by the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, and the Princess Royal, with the Queen Consort’s assistant equerry, Captain Edward Andersen, laying her tribute.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the fallen on behalf of the Government by leaving a wreath, followed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, other party leaders, senior members of the Cabinet, military chiefs of staff and high commissioners.
The Remembrance Sunday ceremony had added poignancy this year as it is the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, with former veterans marching past the Cenotaph.