Oxford Remembrance parade and service 2017 in St Giles'

COURAGE, determination and sacrifice were on the minds of a reflective crowd at Oxford’s Remembrance Sunday service, as the city honoured the heroes who gave their life for their country.

Crowds applauded the veterans, service personnel and cadets who marched proudly through the city centre for the Remembrance parade and service in St Giles’.

This year's event came just two days after the centenary of the end of fighting at the Battle of Passchendaele, and marked 99 years since the close of the First World War.

The streets were packed with people proudly wearing their poppies to stand shoulder to shoulder during tributes led by City Rector The Very Revd Robert Wilkes and Bishop of Oxford The Rt Revd Steven Croft.

Troops marched from Beaumont Street along St Giles’ to the war memorial as the hundreds watching fell silent for a band rendition of Amazing Grace, fittingly accompanied by church bells echoing across the city.

Oxford's Remembrance parade pic.twitter.com/O838UHSPYf
— Naomi Herring (@OxMailNaomiH) November 12, 2017

Following the troops was the mayoral procession led by Lord Mayor of Oxford Jean Fooks.

She said: “Remembrance Sunday is when we take a break to remember those who lost their lives for our freedom.

“The two minutes silence gives us time to reflect on their sacrifices and think about how we can work to avoid future conflict.”

While addressing the service, Mrs Fooks welcomed everyone including representatives from Oxford’s twin cities Leiden in Holland, Perm in Russia and Bonn in Germany.

Mrs Fooks added: “There were a lot of people who turned out, because they want to remember those who have given their lives for us.

“It is tremendous to have representatives from our twinned cities join us in remembrance. It renews our commitment to stand united.”

Also speaking at the service were Penny Faust of the Jewish Community, Jawaid Malik JP of the Muslim community, Chinta Kallie of the Hindu community, Davinder Singh of the Sikh community and John White from Humanists UK.

Oxford Mail:

At 11am The Last Post was sounded. Silence fell and heads bowed for two minutes of reflection honouring all soldiers who have lost their lives in conflicts.

The usually bustling St Giles' stopped still and totally silent before The Reveille was played.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford then led the procession in laying wreaths at the memorial, before organisations and families were invited to lay their own.

Sgt Loz Kelleher, of Thames Valley Police, lay the wreath on behalf of the force and said: “Let us remember and honour the heroes who displayed courage and determination, and salute those brave hearts who lay down their life defending the nation.”

Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Tim Stevenson stood with Oxford’s Lord Mayor Jean Fooks as troops paraded back up St Giles’ for the salute, greeted by a roar of applause from the crowd.

Oxford Mail:

Crowds starting to line the parade route for today's Remembrance service in Oxford and the sun is out especially @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/eM2kR8ow91
— Naomi Herring (@OxMailNaomiH) November 12, 2017

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Oxfordshire Remembrance 2017

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What is your response?The Corunna Band and Bugles of Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force who led the parade down St Giles and who's buglers sounded the Last Post at 1100am

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