Marlborough Town Council
Remembrance 2019
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
On Sunday, 10 November 2019, under clear blue skies, Marlborough residents young and old turned out in great number to take part in and observe the town's Remembrance Parade.
This annual event begins with groups lining up in the High Street ready for inspection, and this year that honour fell to our Town Mayor, Councillor Mervyn Hall, and Lieutenant Colonel Simon Puxley of 4MI Battalion. Phoenix Brass Band led the march to the war memorial where the commemorations took place, led by Revd. Chris Smith, Alec Light and Cllr. Stewart Dobson (Marlborough Branch, Royal British Legion).
A prayer
The Last Post and The Exhortation
Two Minute Silence
Reveille and Kohima Epitaph
Wreath laying
National Anthem
After the commemorations at the war memorial a Service of Remembrance took place at St Mary's Church.
PARTICIPANTS
Those taking part in the parade and laying wreaths were (in alphabetical order):
4MI Battalion - Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue - Marlborough Army Cadet Force - Marlborough Churches Together - Marlborough College Army Cadet Force CCF - Marlborough & District Lions Club - Marlborough Funeral Directors - Marlborough Guides, Brownies & Rainbows - Marlborough Lodge of Loyalty - Marlborough Scouts, Cubs & Beavers - Marlborough Town Council - Phoenix Brass Band - Rotary Club of Marlborough & District- Royal Air Force Cadets (2293 (Marlborough)) - Royal British Legion - Royal Naval Association - Wiltshire Police - Wiltshire Council
ARMISTICE DAY
On Monday, 11 November 2019 the tolling of the Marlborough Bell by Nigel Kerton was the signal for Marlborough to pause. After an air-raid siren, Cllr. Stewart Dobson, President of Marlborough RBL, read the Exhortation before Anthony Palmer sounded the last post. After the two-minute silence, Reveille, and the Kohima, the Mayoral party made its way to the 7th Wiltshire Regiment Memorial where wreaths were laid on behalf of 4MI Battalion, the Royal British Legion, the Wiltshire Regiment, St John's Academy and the Town Council. The commemorations were completed by a visit to both cemeteries to pay respects to the 11 men and women who are laid to rest in our Commonwealth War Graves - the youngest, Rifleman John Joseph West-Woods, was just 18 years old. (You can read more about these graves at https://www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/war-memorials)
THANK YOU
Our thanks to everyone mentioned above for their participation and support, and to the people of Marlborough and beyond who came along to take part. Those who organised and supported the event deserve our gratitude too. We are proud of the town's relationship with 4MI Battalion and cannot speak highly enough of their strong association with our Remembrance events. The same is true for Marlborough Royal British Legion and David Watson and the wonderful Phoenix Brass Band. Laura at the Church Office, our staff and the police, volunteer marshalls and others form part of the unseen team who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure the safe and smooth running on the day.
Also many thanks to Macmillan for cake and refreshments and a special mention for the staff at Majestic Marlborough for opening early to hook up the power supply.
Photos - Remembrance Sunday
Photos - Armistice Day
