Leeds Remembers

Communities come together to pay respects, 100 years on

Leeds’ range of diverse communities stood side-by-side last weekend as two minutes of silence were held in remembrance of all the soldiers who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

This year marked the 100-year anniversary since the start of the First World War and a processions was held in the city from Civic Hall to Victoria Gardens.

A number of wreaths were laid at the site, including one by the Lord Mayor on behalf of the people of Leeds, and one on behalf of the Sikh community by Balbir Singh and Surjeet Singh.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor David Congreve said before the occassion: “Remembrance Sunday is an incredibly important day, where we can remember those people who made the ultimate sacrifice during times of conflict.

“The sacrifice that they made for us should never be forgotten, and it is especially poignant this year as we reflect on and mark the beginning of the First World War one hundred years ago.”

Also in attendance on the day were hundreds of ex-service men and women plus members of ex-service organisations and current serving military organisations, who formed up outside Leeds City Museum before marching to the war memorial.

Amongst those joining the Lord Mayor in the parade was Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe.

The service was led by Canon Charles Dobbin and included readings from different faiths as well as a reading of the John McCrae poem ‘In Flanders Field’ to commemorate the start of the First World War 100 years ago in 1914.

As well as wreaths and the traditional paper poppy, a range of stakes were also planted in the ground on behalf of different faiths.

A wooden cross (Christianity), crescent (Islam), star (Judaism) and Sikh Khanda, were all seen.