Events get under way at the War Memorial in Alexandra Park under the respectful gaze of several hundred citizens.

Well attended Remembrance Day ceremony

A crowd of several hundred gathered in Alexandra Park this morning to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony. They listened respectfully as the Last Post was sounded, stood quietly during the two minutes’ silence and watched as several dozen wreaths were laid at the War Memorial. Nick Terdre reports.

There had been early rain, and the grass glistened wetly underfoot, but the sun was shining and autumn colours delighted the eye as several hundred citizens gathered at the War Memorial in Alexandra Park this morning to mark Remembrance Day, when all those who have lost their lives in service to the country are commemorated.

Events in the park were preceded by the Civic Parade which processed from the old Town Hall along Queen’s Road to the park, led by units of the local armed forces followed by civic functionaries, the mayor of Hastings and local MP, members of the emergency and support services and many others.

The Last Post is sounded.

The Last Post was sounded shortly before 11am by a bugler standing on the slope behind the War Memorial, after which a loud shot signalled the start of the two minutes’ silence, for which all stood quiet and still.

There followed the laying of wreaths by representatives of the armed forces, civil dignitaries, members of the emergency services, representatives of Hastings’ twin towns and others, until members of the public were invited to bring their wreaths to the War Memorial, though there was only one taker.

A short address was given and prayers said by a member of the clergy, followed by the singing of the national anthem and, somewhat unexpectedly, a rendition of the Belgian national anthem, a rather more jolly number than our own.

When the ceremonial events had concluded, the procession reformed and marched back to the Town Hall.

Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn bows her head respectfully after laying a wreath.

The major reference point for many at Remembrance Day events is the Second World War, but as the BBC reminded us in its report of the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, there are now few survivors of those who fought in that conflict — only some 20 or so attended the ceremony in Whitehall.

The wars and conflicts however have continued, whether in Korea, the Middle East, Afghanistan or Ukraine, as hopes of a more peaceful world following the end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union have proved illusory. If in smaller numbers, there is still a flow of servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the service of the country whose sacrifice should not be forgotten.

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