Sunday 14 November 2021

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

There was a large gathering at Silsden's war memorial on Sunday, November 14th, for the Service of Remembrance when wreaths were laid on behalf of the Armed Forces, civic bodies, churches, local organisations and individuals. Pictured above right to left are Jim Bartley (3rd Parachute Regiment), Bob Prosser (Royal Engineers, Airborne Forces and Parachute Regiment) and Steve Lightowler (2nd Parachute Regiment). 

Four-year-old Tommy Kavanagh and his Uncle Phillip lay a wreath in memory of brothers Ron and Reg Boulton (Royal Engineers). Reg was Tommy's great grandad. The following photos show some of the people who laid wreaths in memory of armed services and local organisations.






Carol Smith (pictured above) laid a wreath on behalf of the Friends of Silsden's Green Places.
The Rev David Griffiths, Vicar of St James' Church, read the Wilfred Owen poem 'Dulce et Decorum Est', which conveys the brutal reality of war in contradiction of the idea that dying in battle is 'sweet and proper', as in the title phrase.
Silsden Storm Amateur Rugby League Club's wreath was laid by young players Caleb (under 6s), Ellouise (under 9s) and Finn (under 15s).

Prayers were led by Father Michael McLaughlin, parish priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Wreaths were laid by Town Mayor Councillor Margaret Croft (left), Bradford district councillor Rebecca Whitaker and town councillor Adrian Naylor (right). Pictured with them is Eric Waddington, a former district councillor and well-known local businessman.

Jean Bower, chairman of Silsden Royal British Legion, read 'We will remember them' from the Laurence Binyon poem 'For the Fallen' and the epitaph by John Maxwell Edmonds: 'When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today'. This year is the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
Pictured above is David Rishworth, Silsden Royal British Legion's standard-bearer.