Hundreds pay respects at Plymouth Hoe Remembrance event

Time stood still on Sunday, at least for a brief period, as the people of Plymouth assembled on the Hoe, devoting time to Remembrance Sunday.

For the city, with its long military association with all three Armed Forces, the occasion is always extra meaningful. Every one of the city’s graveyards contains evidence of the bravery and a sense of duty displayed by all.

It isn’t limited only to two World Wars, but also engagements across the globe, from the Falklands to Burma, Londonderry to Iran, Armagh to Afghanistan.

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The number of Plymouth lads that gave their lives is not recorded centrally and even if it were it would likely be wrong, as so many lay forever more next to their comrades “in the corner of a foreign field”, sometimes identified, sometimes not, simply recorded as “missing in action”.

Officiating at the Hoe were the Bishop of Exeter, Rt Rev Dr Mike Harrison (in office only eight days); Lord Mayor Tina Tuohy; Lady Mayoress Freya Hitt; Vice-Lieutenant of Devon, Rear Admiral Christopher Snow; and the Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev James Grier. They were joined by civic and political leaders from across the city.

At the end of the two-minute silence official wreaths were laid. Joining the ceremony was German ship FGS Braunschweig, lead ship of the Braunschweig class of ocean-going corvettes.

Military Kids Club Heroes, the children of service families, who in turn were joined by local schoolchildren, demonstrated what Remembrance Day means to them.

Many members of the public also took the opportunity to make their mark on the day with a large spread of personal wreaths, crosses and poppies to dad, grandad, uncle, husband, friend and boyfriend, neighbour and schoolmate.

Events moved on to the War Memorial in Lockyer Street to mark the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars. Further wreaths were laid, The Royal Engineers honouring one of their many VCs. Many in the crowd moved on to the Gunner Commando memorial close to the gates of the Royal Citadel. Even at this time Plymouth Commandos are on deployment in various parts of the world, in readiness to support peace-keeping forces.

• See tomorrow’s Plymouth Herald for more pictures of Remembrance events.