Wales’ national observance of Remembrance Sunday which is jointly hosted by Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government and The Royal British Legion will take place in Cardiff on Sunday, November 10 2013.
Detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Wales University Royal Navy Unit, the Army’s University Officer Training Corps and the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, will march from King Edward VII Avenue via Museum Avenue to the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff where they will arrive by 10:40am and form up around the memorial.
Those detachments will be joined by columns of ex-Servicemen and women, organised by the Royal British Legion and columns of civilians representing organisations connected with current and past conflicts.
A selection of music will be played by The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh from 10:40am until shortly before 11am when the service will begin with bidding and words of scripture given by Cardiff Council Honorary Chaplain, Reverend Stewart Lisk.
The Canton Salvation Army Band will also lead ex-servicemen and women to the Cenotaph and will continue to play until the commencement of the service and during the hymn singing.
At 10:59am a bugler from The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh will sound the ‘Last Post, followed at 11am by a gun of the 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, Newport who will be firing to mark the start of the two minutes’ silence which will be observed. Its conclusion will again be marked by the firing of the gun and the playing of Reveille by the Bugler.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Dr Peter Beck will then lay a wreath at the Memorial, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, followed by representatives from across Wales including the Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales, and Leader of Cardiff Council Cllr Heather Joyce. Members of the public may also lay wreaths at the National Memorial before or after the service.
At the conclusion of the service all participants and guests will gather to witness the March Past and Salute taken by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Cllr Derrick Morgan at the front of City Hall.
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Heather Joyce said: ”It’s important that we remember and reflect on the sacrifice made by men and women in conflict. The annual Welsh National Service of Remembrance provides an important opportunity for Cardiff and Wales to remember all those who fought and died in two World Wars and in all conflicts around the world to secure the peace and freedom that we enjoy today. It’s also an opportunity for us to remember the many Welsh men and women who are currently on active service across the world and thank them for their dedication.
“This year I signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant, making a pledge to the Armed Forces Community that as a Council we will do all we can to support the Armed Forces community living and working in the city. We also promised that we will always remember the great sacrifice that the Armed Forces make for our city.
“I would like to thank The Royal British Legion and the Welsh Government for working with us on this national remembrance event for Wales. Each year we join together in remembrance and helping those to honour their fallen comrades.”
The First Minister Carwyn Jones, said: “We owe the men and women who have, and who continue to, serve in our armed forces an immense debt of gratitude. This is an opportunity to take time to reflect upon their commitment, service and sacrifice.
“In September I was in Belgium to see a number of sites where Welsh soldiers battled for their country. The visit really brought home to me the scale of the wars fought in the 20th century and the sacrifice that so many Welsh men and women made for their country.
“On Remembrance Sunday, we also remember the servicemen and women on active service overseas today and the dangers they face. The demands placed on those personnel and their families are considerable and we should be mindful of that, and offer what support we can, as we remember and honour the sacrifices they make.”
“The Royal British Legion in Wales said: “With you, The Royal British Legion remembers and honours the sacrifices of all those who fought and continue to fight in the service of our nation.
“Thanks to the nation’s generosity, we are able to provide important support and comradeship for our Armed Forces, veterans and their families, past and present.”
