AN OXFORD rector has told how this year’s Armitice Day has shown people are becoming more aware of soldiers’ sacrifices.

Traditional November commemorations, 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War, took place across Oxfordshire.

The two-minute silence on Tuesday at 11am was marked by Lord Mayor Mohammed Abbasi, city councillors and council staff at Oxford Town Hall in St Aldates.

Rev Bob Wilkes conducted a brief service at the top of the town hall steps.

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He said: “There was a good gathering at the top of the stairs.

“City council staff and councillors were there, and members of the public came into the town hall to take part.

“I think the tradition of taking a pause on the 11th for two minutes to remember the fallen is getting into people’s minds much more.”

Residents in Iffley, Oxford, gathered as Lieutenant John Lee of the Army Cadet Force laid a wreath at the Iffley War Monument.

Oxford Mail:

 Lieutenant John Lee lays a wreath at the Iffley War Monument 

Lieutenant Lee said: “It’s important that this war monument is better known as it was the first erected to honour the men from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry.

“We would like the monument to be better recognised.”

In West Oxfordshire, a service was held in the parachute training hangar at RAF Brize Norton and bugler Caryl Lansley, from the Witney Town Band, played The Last Post.

And at St Laurence Church in Caversfield, near Bicester, there was a Children’s Act of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

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 Minster Lovell Remembrance Day event

David Crabbe, Bicester and District branch secretary of the Royal British Legion, said: “Pupils from The Cooper School came to the cemetery on Armistice Day. Just before 11am they laid a cross and a pink and white rose, the symbol of remembrance in Holland, at each grave.

“Brian Bailey, a member of the branch, organised the occasion.

“His father-in-law was a Dutch admiral and that’s why the children brought along the pink and white roses.”

An Armistice Day service also took place in Minster Lovell near Witney. About 150 people attended the service, which was led by Rev Paula Clifford from St. Kenelm’s Church.


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