HUNDREDS turned out in Droitwih town centre today to pay their respects to the country’s fallen soldiers.
Victoria Square was packed to bursting as the Spa’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations began at the war memorial.
There a short service and two-minute silence were held.
Mayor, Coun Bob Brookes, was the first to lay a wreath in memory of the soldiers killed in major conflicts throughout the years,
He was followed by a number of other representatives, including members of the Droitwich Royal British Legion, the armed forces and local councillors.
Also paying their respects were veterans from different conflicts and members of West Mercia Police, St John Ambulance and the Droitwich scouts, among others.
This year’s commemorations were particularly poignant as they also marked the centenary of the start of the First World War, the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing and the end of Britain’s conflict in Afghanistan.
A special dedication was also made to Droitwich First World War soldier Pte William Henry Goddard whose name was not on the Victoria Square memorial until earlier this year, following a campaign by his family which was backed by The Standard.
Solace was offered to his family and friends and a minute was taken to remember the sacrifices made by Pte Goddard, who was in the13th Batallion of the Royal Fusiliers.
The commemorations in Victoria Square were followed by a parade to St Andrew’s Church.
Where another service was held, featuring those now immortal words:
“We gather to respect those who have lost their lives, they shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old – age shall not weary them not the years condemn them – we shall remember them.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”
After the day’s thought-provoking and moving proceedings, some of those gathered went to the Royal British Legion Club on Salwarpe Road for some light refreshments.
