AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
Last Post at cathedral ends 100th anniversary tributes
THE North East fell silent at 11am yesterday to the mark centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War.
Thousands of people attended ceremonies at war memorials across Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham for the poignant event.
A two-minute silence was held for people to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
In all 886,342 troops were killed in the war, many coming from this region. There were also 109,000 civilian deaths.
In Newcastle there was an impressive Armistice Day parade of service personnel, veterans, cadet forces and related support services.
They gathered at the war memorial in Old Eldon Square, where the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Rev Christine Hardman, led a service of remembrance.
She told those gathered that she had been moved to tears by the sight of so many people turning out to honour those who lost their lives in conflict.
Then after the crowds fell silent wreaths were laid by dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, and representatives of organisations including the Royal Marines, the Royal Navy, Northumbria Police, Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle City Council and the Royal British Legion. This year a blanket of woollen poppies, knitted and crocheted by volunteers, surrounded the square, providing a colourful tribute to the fallen.
June Burnett, from Wideopen, in North Tyneside, said it was touching to see the range of ages that had turned out.
The 58-year-old said: “It was really good. I come every year because my husband was in the forces.
“It’s good to see so many crowds here. It’s a really, really big turnout. It’s been really emotional.
“I’m surprised to see so many young people here.”
And Terry Park, 72, who served in the paras for 22 years, added: “It’s been quite good. It’s heartening that after all this time so many people turn out.” James Hutchinson, 78, from Newcastle said: “It’s moving to see so many people.”
A century ago, church bells rang across the UK once the Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918.
Among them were the great bells of Newcastle Cathedral and yesterday they rang again to mark the centenary of the end of the conflict.
Hundreds of bell ringers who joined the war effort lost their lives. Just after the war, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers wrote to all bell towers to compile a roll of honour, which showed that some 1,400 bell ringers lost their lives in the conflict. In Tyne-
mouth yesterday bells from ships wrecked in the Tyne rang out from the centre of the village.
The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, with permission from North Tyneside Council, set them up on Front Street, with residents invited to take turns to ring the bells.
Newcastle Quayside hosted the Maritime Volunteer Service Remembrance Day Parade of Sail.
The fleet sailed along the Tyne for the laying of a wreath in the river.
They stopped between the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Tyne Bridge for the two-minute silence.