Remembrance Sunday is the day our country commemorates those who fought in the two World Wars and other conflicts. Held on the second Sunday in November (the nearest Sunday to November 11), this year that falls on Sunday, November 9, with ceremonies, parades, and services to be held up and down the UK.
During the First World War, in 1917, the first Birmingham service was held in Victoria Square to mark the first anniversary of the Somme and remember those who died in the War. Services became a regular thing until the Second World War, although the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress laid a wreath at the Hall of Memory in 1940.
Public services then continued from 1946, with Birmingham’s annual Remembrance Day Service taking place on Colmore Row, opposite St Philip’s Cathedral, this year. The service will be attended by military veterans and representatives from the armed forces.
The Order of Service will include performances from The Salvation Army Band and Birmingham City Council Choir, marches, a parade and a two-minute silence. The parade will include ex-service personnel, regular, reserve and cadet units from the Armed Forces, with representatives of other local uniformed organisations.
“On Remembrance Sunday, we prepare to honour our promise never to forget all those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said the Lord Mayor last year. “It is important that we take time to remember all the men and women who gave their lives while serving their country, at war and in peacetime, who gave their todays for our tomorrows.”
Birmingham’s Remembrance Day Order of Service:
10.15am: The Salvation Army Band commence to play on Colmore Row. The Birmingham City Council Choir perform
10.30am: Uniformed contingents march on
10.40am: Standards and associations march on
10.40am: The Civic Party will proceed from the Council House. Arriving at the dais, the Civic Party will take up position facing the Parade
11.00am: Two minute silence
11.02am: Bugler plays Reveille