Hundreds Attend Armistice Day Service Held at the Guildhall

Published on: 11 Nov, 2017
Updated on: 12 Nov, 2017

The Mayor of Guildford Nigel Manning (in red robe) and other civic dignitaries on the balcony of the Guildhall at 11am, November 11 while Last Post is sounded.

Ninety nine years years exactly after the ceasefire brought an end to the fighting on the Western Front in the First World War, Guildford remembered all those who died in that conflict and all those since.

Several hundred gathered in Guildford High Street to pay their respect to the country’s war dead.

Several hundred gathered between Tunsgate Arch and the Guildhall to hear Last Post sounded and short service conducted by the Rector of Holy Trinity, Canon Robert Cotton which included the, “They shall grow not old…” exhortation, read by Ian Chatfield, formally 5th Queen’s and the Kohima Epitaph read by Cadet CSM Jonathan Andrews Royal Grammar School, CCF.

The 11th hour was marked by a maroon and following two minute silence another maroon signalled the end and reveille was sounded.

Mrs and Mr Green with Poppy Appeal coordinator Darren Mayers.

One of those attending was former Grenadier Guardsman John Taylor who served for 25 years. He said: “I prefer to come to a service which commemorates the actual time the armistice took place and as a former serviceman I think it is important we do remember those who died.”

“We actually live in Fleet now but my wife is a Guildford girl so that’s why we are here.”

Darren Mayers, a poppy appeal organiser in Guildford, and a reservist, joined them to pose for a photo.