Record crowd gathers in Trowbridge to commemorate Remembrance Sunday

The crowd attending the event in Trowbridge town park was one of the biggest crowds seen for many years.

Onlookers gathered to pay their respects and remember the nation’s war dead from two world wars, as well as conflicts elsewhere involving British forces.

A record crowd attended the Trowbridge War Memorial for the Trowbridge Remembrance Sunday service. (Image: Trevor Porter)

During a poignant service, a national two-minute silence was observed by those in attendance at 11am following the by The Last Post.

Elsewhere, hundreds of people took part in Remembrance Sunday services in Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Warminster and Westbury.

Dignitaries with their wreaths, together with the crowds that attended the Trowbridge Remembrance Sunday service. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The service in Trowbridge, included the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the town’s War Memorial, and followed a service at St James’ Church.

Military and civic dignitaries took the salute as the parade passed the saluting dais positioned on Silver Street before it continued to the war memorial.

Standard bearers march down Park Road to the Trowbridge War Memorial. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Town Crier Trevor Heeks invited civic dignitaries and wreath layers to come forward and lay their respective wreaths.

They included Wiltshire’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant Amanda Burnside, the town’s MP Dr Andrew Murrison, Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer, and Trowbridge mayor Stephen Cooper.

At the conclusion of the service, the parade was dismissed after being addressed by Captain Roy Zaman, chair of the Royal British Legion (Trowbridge Branch).

Standard lowered at the Remembrance Sunday service at Trowbridge War Memorial. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The Revd Jake Eggertsen, Rector of St James’ Trowbridge, led the service at St James’ Church and at the war memorial. Afterwards, guests retired to The Civic Centre for refreshments.

Rick Owen, of Trowbridge RBL said: “Thank you all, young and old, volunteers and veterans, you do Trowbridge and the ex-Service community proud.”

On Friday evening, The Civic also hosted The Festival of Remembrance featuring wartime songs and dancing and ceremonial tributes to the fallen.

Afterwards, twins George and Noah Hartley, members of the Trowbridge Army Cadets, studied the wreaths at the Trowbridge War Memorial.

In Melksham, the town hall was illuminated with a giant red poppy as part of its tribute to those residents who lost their lives serving their country.