Thousands in ‘people’s procession’ for war dead

Thousands of marchers took part in a “people’s procession” that passed the Cenotaph 100 years after Armistice Day.

The march, described as a “nation’s thank you” to all those who fought in the First World War, saw descendants of veterans from across the country join together on Remembrance Sunday.

The march proceeded around St James’s Park before turning into Whitehall, where 10,000 people streamed past the Cenotaph.

Marion Lewis and her sister Dorothy Heslop marched for their grandfather, Private John Waters of the 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

He received a serious head wound at the Somme in October 1916 which left him missing part of his skull.

As girls growing up, it was an unspoken rule not to ask granddad about the war, they said.

Ms Heslop said: “They did not expect him to survive so they left him outside the medical tent and we think it’s the cold that probably saved him.”

Jackie Sheridan, whose great, great uncle Oliver Davies died aged just 21 while serving near Jerusalem, took part. He was a driver for the Royal Engineers who died on December 2, 1917, from a stray bullet while taking animals to water – and his family still has the letter written from his captain informing his mother of his death.

She said: “It’s was a very proud moment to represent my family who are descendants.”