Guildford Remembers ‘Their Sacrifice and Service’ at Traditional Ceremony

Published on: 12 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 13 Nov, 2023

Wreaths laid today at the Guildford War Memorial in the Castle Grounds.

Hundreds gathered at the Castle Grounds to participate in the traditional Remembrance Sunday Ceremony, which followed a service in Holy Trinity Church.

The procession from the church to the war memorial was led by the Friary Brass Band.

There were no signs of any disturbance despite the presence of security staff, who have become a regular presence at the event.

Officiating at the service was the Rev’d Ben Cahill-Nicholls. He led a payer “… for all those who strive for peace and all who fight for justice. Help us who today remember the cost of war to work for a better tomorrow and [the] lives lost in terror and conflict….”

Last Post was sounded followed by a two-minute silence concluded with Reveille and a local veteran proclaiming the Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

The Mayor of Guildford and Col Patrick Crowley paying their respects at the War Memorial…

…they were followed by Guildford’s MP and Dawn Hudd representing GBC.

Wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Guildford Masuk Miah and Col Patrick Crowley followed by Angela Richardson MP, Dawn Hudd on behalf of Guildford Borough Council, then veterans and representatives of Surrey Police, cadet forces, youth groups and other organisations.

During the wreath laying Holy Trinity Choir sang an adaptation of John McCrae’s famous poem In Flanders Fields the poppies blow….

The service concluded with two verses of the national anthem.

Armistice ceremony, Saturday, November 11

Yesterday, the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month was marked by a short ceremony in the High Street witnessed by Mandy Millyard, who took these photos.