Communities across West Devon stopped what they were doing and stood still in respectful silent memorial today (Sunday, November 8) to remember all those who sacrificed their lives during conflict.
As the sun shone on a warm still day Tavistock, Horrabridge, Buckland Monachorum, Walkhampton, Princetown, Okehampton and other places honoured a two-minute silence on the clock strike of 11am, in common with the rest of the country on Remembrance Sunday.
In Tavistock hundreds of people crowded in the town centre to watch smartly dressed military cadets, Scouts and Guides, march down Plymouth Road into Guildhall Square where they lined up with church staff and veteran military, firefighters and other uniformed personnel.
There the Rev Matt Godfrey led a service in tribute to all who lost their lives in both world wars and all conflicts.
Among those laying red poppy wreaths at the foot of Tavistock War Memorial were the town mayor Cllr Anne Johnson, veterans and cadets and Scouting movement members of all ages.
Royal Naval Warrant Officer (one) Chris Nutbean wore his service and campaign medals with his daughter and wife at the event, while his son Jacob represented Tavistock Army Cadets on parade.
Chris said: “It’s very important never to forget my many family members who served their country, and in some cases, were injured or sacrificed their lives. I and my wife have relatives who served in the North African desert in WWII. Many of them served in the Navy like me. My great grandad’s brother James Frederick died on Christmas Day in 1942 after his Navy patrol ship was torpedoed off Lowestoft.
“None of these people should be forgotten. It’s a must for me to attend.”
Gareth Bemister, Bere Alston Primary School head, said: “We sent out Year 6 children up to the village memorial to observe the two minutes silence there, as we always do. One of our TAs, Tanya, is a former forces member so she took them to observe the two-minute silence.”
Husband and wife team Pete and Ally Jackson and their daughter Lauren made many of the hundreds of blue poppies, to remember animals who died in service to their country, and red poppies for Princetown War Memorial remembrance service.
Pete’s dad was in the Navy and his brothers are or have served in the Army and RAF. Ally’s dad was in the RAF.
The busy knitters of Whitchurch WI have created a poignant tribute to all who have given their lives while serving their country.
A public bench on Whitchurch Road has been adorned with 1,000 poppies for Remembrance Day, all knitted by members to create a beautiful artwork with the centre piece the ‘last Tommy’ a silhouette memorial to symbolise the death of the last WWI veteran.
The striking bench sculpture attracts a lot of of attention from respectful passing pedestrians, bus passengers and drivers.
Designer Marion Cauldwell said: “The idea is to remember all those who gave their lives for their country and the bench is a tribute to them all.”
“We think this is a fitting tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country so we can be free. The idea is to create a striking piece of artwork which attracts attention and reminds people of what so many have done for their country in all conflicts.
We’re proud of what our members have achieved. It’s been a collective effort and looks very impressive.”
“Many of our members have had relatives who died in war or who are serving in the military now or in the past
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