Remembrance Day services take place across North East
Nov 10 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
VETERANS and their families turned out to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. There are no survivors of the Great War left in the North East, but soldiers from other conflicts were there to make sure the memory of their sacrifice lives on.
They stood side-by-side with civilians as the clocks struck 11am in Remembrance Day ceremonies across the region to honour fallen heroes.
The streets of central Newcastle came to a halt as people paid tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
At 11am a single volley was fired before a two-minute silence fell on the thousands who had gathered to pay tribute.
Wreaths were placed at the foot of the cenotaph near Old Eldon Square by local dignitaries and representatives of the armed forces.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Coun David Wood, led the commemorations as he laid a wreath at the War Memorial.
Veterans from the Second World War, Korea, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and the current Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts witnessed the event.
The family and friends of soldiers currently engaged in conflict also turned out as a mark of respect. One of those who came into the city to mark the occasion was Ken Medwell, from North Shields, who was in the Merchant Navy and served on the Ocean Vagrant for the D-Day landings.
The 83-year-old was also part of the operation to take supplies from America, Canada and England to the Russians.
In total, he served on 23 journeys from D-Day onwards to Arromanches in Normandy and spent six months on the Russian convoys in 1942.
He was at the service with his wife Ada, 79, representing the North Tyneside Veterans’ Committee.
He said: “Today we are thinking of absent friends – we are the lucky ones.”
In Sunderland more than 200 veterans from past conflicts gathered at the city’s Civic Centre.
Along with soldiers from armed forces across the UK, they paraded to the war memorial in Burdon Road yesterday.
The Remembrance Parade was led by four bands – the Light Cavalry Band, the Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Esh and Bearpark Colliery Band and the Pipes and Drums of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
The Mayor of Sunderland, Coun Mary Smith, said: “We’re very proud to honour all those who fought in conflicts past and present and the many who gave up their lives for their country.
“Remembrance Sunday also provides a valuable opportunity to let today’s servicemen and women know how much we value and appreciate their contribution and the sacrifices they make on our behalf.
“Our troops now on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the dreadfully sad loss of young men from our city, will be prominent in our minds this Remembrance Sunday, as we remember all who have paid the ultimate price of serving in so many conflicts.”
Ceremonies also took place throughout the North East in communities across Tyneside and Northumberland, including Gateshead, Morpeth, Amble and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
