Remembrance Sunday brought people together throughout the region and far beyond to commemorate the fallen soldiers who risked their lives for this country, and ‘for our tomorrow, gave their today’.
On a bright but chilly day, thousands of people gathered outside the Cenotaph on St George’s Plateau for the annual service in the city, watching in silent awe as red poppies fell from the top of the grand hall and wreaths were laid to rest.
Before the firing shot at 11am which signalled the two minute silence being held across the nation, bystanders enjoyed a performance from the Band of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, St Edwards Senior Choir, while singer Danielle Louise Thomas took to the stage to give a rendition of ‘I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.’
This year marked the 100th year anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, during World War I at a time when the Allies had to rely on horses to support their heroic defences. The moment was marked by the introduction of Joey, the life-sized puppet from the National Theatre production of War Horse, who made an appearance before the sombre gathering.
YouTube: Danielle Thomas
Rt Revd Paul Bayes, the Bishop of Liverpool, told the crowd: “War Horse is a way of imagining, and a way of remembering.”
Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, led the service. He was followed by the inspiring act of remembrance where Lieutenant Colonel, Anthony Hollingsworth, quoted Laurence Binyon’s poem, ‘For the Fallen’, saying: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left to grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun in the morning, we shall remember them.”
Past and present soldiers visit Liverpool and other services held across Merseyside to mark this memorable day. A member from the first Battalion Royal Regiment Fusiliers, who fought in the Iraq war 2003, Fusilier John Atkinson, told JMU Journalism: “Today is about remembering all the lads that we have lost and to remember all the dead from years gone by.
“We are a cliché band of brothers. It doesn’t matter what regiment you are from, we are all brothers. ”
John Welsh, of the Queens Duke of Lancashire Regiment, told JMU Journalism: “Liverpool’s military is very strong. It always comes together to close ranks. It’s got a big military background, especially from the First World War.”
The service came to a bittersweet close after members of the armed forces paraded through the streets, saluting in the direction of the Cenotaph, while the public began placing their own wreaths in honour of loved ones lost.
Galleries by Ross McAuley, Chloe George & Jess Grieveson-Smith. Click on a thumbnail for images.
YouTube: JMU Journalism TV
Twitter: Jess Grieveson-Smith
As the poppies fall, a dedication written by #MichaelMorpurgo author of #WarHorse especially for today is read by Roger Phillips #RemembranceSunday #Liverpool @JMUJournalism pic.twitter.com/2q8z2Dzn4k
— Jess Grieveson-Smith (@gs_jessie) November 12, 2017