November is always a busy and emotional month, especially around Remembrance Sunday.
Last year I was in bright sunshine at Ypres in Belgium on Remembrance Day itself, the 11th November, but this year the rain lashed down for most of the time spent in the Belgium town.
Fortunately the following day saw some respite, allowing visits to trenches, bunkers, memorials and cemeteries on the Ypres Salient battlefield where so many from Chorley and Lancashire fell during the First World War. For the record, I hope to be back at Ypres on Remembrance day next year.
On the Continent, they pay their respects at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the eleventh month, to coincide with the signing of the Armistice which ended hostilities of the First World War; historically, the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on the 28th June 1919.
Chorley Pals Memorial trustee Lindsay Hoyle lays a wreath at the memorial on Remembrance Sunday
I managed to get back to Chorley for Remembrance Sunday and was proud to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Astley Park on behalf of the Chorley Pals Memorial. Joining me was Nikki Davidson-Kerr, the Project Manager of the Chorley Remembers project.
An hour later we watched Lindsay Hoyle MP lay a wreath at the Chorley Pals Memorial on the Flat Iron; thanks to all those who joined us to witness the simple five minute ceremony.
I took a photograph of Lindsay laying the wreath and it was used by the Chorley Guardian as the centre piece of the Remembrance Sunday coverage of events at Chorley and Leyland; however, I understand that one local Politician has complained to Chris Maguire, the Editor, about the coverage.
Personally, I think we should remember every day (not just once a year) all those men and women who laid down their lives in conflicts over the years - without their sacrifice we would not be free to lay wreaths or comment to newspaper Editors.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.
