IT was a special anniversary and a special turn-out in Oxford for Remembrance Sunday yesterday.

About 400 turned out at the St Giles’ service, conducted by leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Humanist faiths.

It was led by Royal British Legion standard bearer John Harvey, who has been involved for the past 30 years.

The Barton resident, 71, said: “There were more people than ever before out watching this year, obviously because of the centenary [of the outbreak of the First World War]. It’s brilliant to have all these people out, from the little tots to the veterans, here on this particular day.”

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Veterans were among the first to lay wreaths, including Sydney Harley, 100, from Oxford, who fought in the Eighth Army at the second battle of El Alamein in Egypt during the Second World War.

He said: “It was a very nice service. It’s important to keep it going and remember.”

Dennis Murray, 91, of Littlemore, was an aircraft mechanic in the 67 Squadron in India and Burma during the war.

He said: “I never normally fail in words, but I have been absolutely gobsmacked by everybody coming out. It’s been wonderful. For the time I’ve got left I shall remember this and love this day.”

Members of the armed forces, Royal British Legion, Scouts, Guides and cadets paraded down St Giles after the service.

At Botley Cemetery, those who lost their lives from across the Commonwealth were remembered in the Commonwealth War Graves section.

Edie Godfroy, 10, was chosen to read her poem about the war aloud at the service. The North Hinksey CofE Primary School pupil said: “I was quite nervous but I was proud after I finished. I hope everyone enjoyed my poem.”

Among those who put down wreaths was Bernard Greenberg, 85, who served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1947. The Vicarage Road resident wore the medals belonging to brother-in-law John Berg, a flight officer in the 550 Squadron during the Second World War.

Oxford Mail:

St Giles Remembrance Sunday Parade

Mr Greenberg said: “He was killed in 1944 just three weeks after he married my sister, Frances. He was shot down over Holland.”

Simmone Robson laid crosses with her two children, Coleston, 11, and seven-year-old Ellicia, after the service. She said: “I just thought it would be nice to put them down in memorial of those who had fallen. It was a really lovely service.”

Other services across the city included at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Summertown, St Andrew’s Church in Headington and Kennington’s St Swithuns Church.

Oxford United players wore poppies on their shirts for Saturday’s FA Cup game at Grimsby.

County remembers its fallen

Witney: AS THEY marked a century since the outbreak of the First World War, Witney residents planted trees they hope will be standing in another 100 years.

Witney Churches Together organised the planting of eight oak saplings – one for each church donomination – in Leys recreation ground as part of Remembrance Sunday events.

The site was bought in 1920 using funds collected by town residents in memory of those who died in the First World War.

The commemorations began on Sunday with a wreath-laying at Church Green war memorial and finished with a service in St Mary’s Church.

Churches Together chairman Dr David Adams told the crowd: “We plant these trees in memory of those who gave their lives in times of conflict, they are divided in this life, but united in the next.”

CARTERTON: More than 1,000 onlookers came to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service.

Mike Bulley, mace bearer to the mayor, led the procession, carrying the mace given as a sign of friendship to the town in 2000 by staff at neighbouring RAF Brize Norton.

The procession started after a service in St John’s Church, in Burford Road, before marching to Town Hall for prayers. A two-minute silence was held, followed by the laying of the wreaths.

Veteran master engineer of the Royal Air Force’s 511Sqn Mr Bulley, 84, said about 1,500 people came to pay their respects. He said: “I don’t think I have ever seen so many people in Carterton. It was very impressive.”

BANBURY: There was a record turnout for the parade from Banbury Town Hall and wreath-laying in People’s Park.

More than 320 people took part, up by almost 100 from previous years. Banbury Mayor Sean Woodcock said: “Once again the people of Banbury have done the town proud by turning out in huge numbers.”

BICESTER: St Edburg’s Church held a service before a parade through the town.

Mayor Lynn Pratt said: “It was fantastic, the turnout was bigger than I’ve ever seen before. I find it very moving as mayor. I laid a wreath on behalf of the town.”

DIDCOT: Ron Frampton, 97, was one of many wreath-layers in Didcot’s afternoon service at the Civic Hall gardens.

There was a 45-minute service after a parade from Edinburgh Drive up Broadway.

Mr Frampton, a former Royal Engineer, said: “It was very good, a large number of people were there. It was really well attended, I suppose because of the centenary. It’s a poignant day for me. I lost two uncles in the First World War and served in the second.”

WALLINGFORD: Crowds gathered in Wallingford’s Market Place to pay their respects.

Town groups and men and women from the nearby RAF Benson airbase took part in a march-past of mayor Jane Titchener. And onlookers were also treated to a flypast by helicopters from the base.

Mrs Titchener said about 1,500 people attended, adding: “It is a special year anyway with the centenary commemorations, but we are also celebrating 75 years since the RAF base was opened.”

WANTAGE: Wantage Silver Band assembled with veterans, military personnel and cadets at The Beacon, Portway, to march to SS Peter and Paul Church in Church Street for a two-minute silence and a wreath laying at the town’s war memorial.

RAF reservist nurse Cpl Jenny Gillespie, 57, said: “It was a lovely service, very moving.”

ABINGDON: Troops from the Dalton Barracks paraded to the war memorial in the Square, after a service in St Helen’s Church, East St Helen Street.

Veteran Dennis Kirby, 84, a former Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, said he had been attending remembrance services for about 50 years.

He said: “It was one of the best we have ever had and afterwards we all went back to the [Royal British] Legion club.”

Oxford Mail:

Simmone Robson and her children Ellicia, seven, and Coleston, 11, at Botley Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery

Armistice Day events

RAF Brize Norton: Servicemen and women will take part in a parade tomorrow from just before 11am with a ceremony hosted by the station chaplain and a bugler will perform the Last Post before the two-minute silence
Abingdon: A two-minute silence will be held by staff at the Vale of White Horse District Council office at Abbey House
Crowmarsh Gifford: A wreath will be laid by South Oxfordshire District Council chairwoman Ann Midwinter at the entrance to its office in Benson Lane before the two-minute silence
Witney: West Oxfordshire District Council staff will observe the silence at its office in Woodgreen
Carterton Primary School, which includes about 100 children from service families, will hold a remembrance assembly for all pupils. The after school club will also have a talk and children will make a “field of poppies” thumbprint painting
Chipping Norton: Holy Trinity Catholic School will hold a service at 9.10am, and have invited residents from Henry Cornish Care Centre, in Rockhill Farm Court. Some pupils will then visit the London Road memorial for the town’s service at 10.45am


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