Cardiff will bring communities together on Sunday 8 November for the National Service of Remembrance for Wales, honouring those who have served and sacrificed their lives in conflicts past and present.
The annual ceremony, organised jointly by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government in partnership with the Royal British Legion, will provide an opportunity for people across Wales to come together in remembrance, reflection and gratitude.
Detachments representing the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, and Cadet Forces will assemble at the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, by 10.40am.
They will be joined by columns of ex-Service personnel, coordinated by The Royal British Legion, as well as representatives of organisations connected with current and past conflicts.
The commemorations will begin at 10.30am with a musical prelude from the Canton Salvation Army Band. The service will start shortly before 11am, opening with words from Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk BEM, Honorary Chaplain to Cardiff Council.
The Cardiff Arms Park Choir and Cardiff Military Wives Choir Caerdydd will also perform during the ceremony.
At 10.59am, a bugler from The Royal Welsh Regimental Band and Corps of Drums will sound the Last Post. A gun salute by 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, Newport, will then mark the beginning of the two-minute silence at 11am.
The silence will end with a second gun salute, followed by the playing of Reveille.
Wreaths will be laid at the Welsh National War Memorial by dignitaries and other participants, including the First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, and the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Chris Weaver.
Cllr Chris Weaver, Leader of Cardiff Council, said:
“Remembrance Sunday is an important moment for people across Cardiff and Wales to come together and remember those who gave their lives, recognise those who have served, and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.
“It is a national moment of reflection, remembering all those living in conflict zones today, and paying tribute to all of our current Armed Forces as they continue to serve around the world.
“As a city, we are proud to stand alongside our servicewomen and servicemen, veterans and their families, and people from communities across Wales, as we pause to reflect and pay our respects.”
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, said:
“The National Service of Remembrance brings communities across Wales and the world together to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and veterans to whom we owe an immense debt of gratitude.
“We remember all those who lost their lives in service, while also recognising the servicemen and women serving overseas today, the dangers they face, and the demands placed on them and their families.
“At a time of continuing global instability, it is more important than ever that we come together to remember and to offer our steadfast support to the whole Armed Forces community and redouble our commitment to a more peaceful world.”
The Band of the Royal Welsh and Corps of Drums will bring the ceremony to a close with the National Anthems of Wales and Great Britain.
Members of the public will be welcome to lay their own wreaths at the memorial following the service.
After the ceremony, participants and guests will gather in front of the Glamorgan Building on King Edward VII Avenue for the March Past and Salute, which will be taken by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan and the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff.
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Michael Michael, will also lay a wreath during the National Service of Remembrance. The Lord Mayor is leading the city’s tributes at the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Cardiff Castle on November 4.
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Michael Michael, said:
“The Welsh National Field of Remembrance provides a meaningful space for reflection, remembrance and gratitude. It allows us to honour the dedication and bravery of service personnel past and present, while recognising the sacrifices made by their families. The thousands of tributes placed here each year demonstrate the deep respect held for those who have served their country.”
