Hundreds stood ten deep at the St Albans War Memorial on 8 November for the parade and silence. The city's Royal British Legion branch is being relaunched.

Hundreds of people gathered around the St Albans War Memorial on Sunday 8 November for the city’s Remembrance Sunday parade and service, with the crowd ten deep in places, St Albans City and District Council said.

The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Matt Fisher, led the annual event and laid a wreath. He was joined by leaders of the major faiths, Honorary Aldermen, and councillors from the county, district, town and parish councils.

Cadets salute at the St Albans War Memorial during the service
Cadets salute at the St Albans War Memorial during the service. Photo: supplied by St Albans City and District Council

The parade on St Peter’s Street

The parade along St Peter’s Street included representatives of the Royal British Legion, Air, Sea and Army cadets, the Guiding and Scout movements, the police and other uniformed services.

The parade arrives at the War MemorialYoung members of uniformed groups among the crowd at the service

2 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by St Albans City and District Council

The service and the silence

The service was conducted by the Rev’d Mark Dearnley of St Peter’s Church. A bugler played the Last Post, followed by the two-minute silence at 11am.

Readings came from three faiths. Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, of St Albans Masorti Synagogue, read from the Hebrew Scriptures; Akhtar Zaman DL, President of the St Albans Islamic Centre, read from the Holy Qur’an; and Rev Brendan Day, of the St Alban and St Stephen Catholic Church, read from the Christian New Testament.

A band plays during the service, with The Cock pub behind
A band plays during the service, with The Cock pub behind. Photo: supplied by St Albans City and District Council

Wreaths at the memorial

Wreath laying was led by Dr John Howie, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, followed by the Mayor, Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and representatives of various organisations. Around 15 armed forces veterans attended and stood near the front of the memorial, the council said.

A wreath is laid at the War MemorialA naval officer lays a wreath at the memorialA wreath is carried to the War MemorialA soldier salutes at the War MemorialFlowers are laid at the War Memorial

5 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by St Albans City and District Council

“A most moving occasion”

Councillor Fisher, who served in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, said:

“This was a most moving occasion with our whole community, people of all ages and faiths, coming together to pay their respects to our war dead.

“I was very impressed by the large number of people who attended as well as with the turnout from organisations ranging from the armed forces to our ambulance service and the guiding and scout movements.

“We all recognise the huge debt we owe to the people who defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We must always remember those who lost their lives in doing so.

“I also urge people to continue to give generously to this year’s Poppy Appeal to help the Royal British Legion carry out the welfare work it does for our Armed Forces families.”

St Albans Royal British Legion branch is relaunching

A St Albans branch of the Royal British Legion is being relaunched and is looking for new members. To join, call 0800 307 7773 or email membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk.

Our guide to Remembrance in St Albans and Harpenden has the times that were set for this year’s events, including the cathedral service on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November.