FAMILIES in Bicester have been urged to join a once-in-a-lifetime Remembrance Sunday exactly 100 years since the original Armistice Day.

As the nation gathers to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, the families of people from Bicester who served or lost their lives in the conflict have been invited to register to join an official parade in their honour.

The ceremony will see hundreds of serving soldiers from in and around the town join veterans, Royal British Legion members and representatives from local groups and organisations to march down the Causeway, around the Market Square and back to St Edburg’s Church.

Leading the preparations for the big day is Bicester Town Council.

Councillor Richard Mould said: “We urge descendants and family members of those men and women who served or lost their lives in the First World War to join us in the Remembrance parade as a poignant tribute to their loved ones.

“This year’s Remembrance Day marks 100 years since the end of the First World War and the church service and parade will be a fitting tribute to those people from Bicester who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

It comes as three ‘Silent Soldier’ silhouettes – a naval rating, an airman and a ‘Tommy’ soldier representing the Navy, Air Force and Army – were installed on the front lawn of Garth Park as part of the council’s act of Remembrance.

The silhouettes are part of a movement by the Royal British Legion to mark the centenary of the end of the war and thank a generation who ‘served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation’.

A further six silhouettes have been ordered from the Legion and these will be placed in the churchyard at St Edburg’s ready for Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Mould said: “The silent silhouettes are a visual reminder of all those people who sacrificed their lives for our future.

“Bicester has long had links with the military and we felt they were a touching way to remember all those who died in the First World War and in conflicts since.”

Oxfordshire’s RBL chairman Lynda Atkins, also county councillor for Wallingford, added: “The RBL is providing these silent soldiers as a reminder that some soldiers came home but other returned only in people’s memories.

“As the 100th anniversary of the Armistice approaches I would like people to think about the sacrifice made by soldiers and their families.

“We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the First World War generation who served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation.”

On Remembrance Day wreaths will be laid on the war memorial at St Edburg’s followed by a service in the church from 11am during which a poppy drop of thousands of red poppies will fall from the bell tower.

Members of the community who would like to register to join the parade should email Julie Trinder at Bicester Town Council julie.trinder@bicester.gov.uk or call 01869 252915 by Wednesday, November 7.