Frome is coming together again this year to support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and to observe Remembrance Sunday on 10th November with a Parade and Act of Remembrance at the Frome Memorial Theatre Garden, commencing at 10.55am.
The parade will begin at 10.45am at Frome Cadet Centre on Keyford Road – anyone wishing to be involved should meet there at 10am. The service will run until 11.25am.
“Frome will be honoured that Ron Stone, now 100 years old and WW II Royal Marine veteran, who fought in Burmah will be at the service,” said Jane Norris, chairman of the Frome branch Royal British Legion. “He will be reading the Kohima Epitaph which ends ….. ‘Tell Them of us and Say “For Your Tomorrow, we Gave our Today”.
“On Remembrance Sunday in Frome this year we will remember the men and women from so many different nations, cultures, religions and communities who came together and stood shoulder to shoulder to defend our freedom and way of life.
“This year particularly commemorates 80 years since the outbreak of World War II, the 75th anniversaries of the great battles of 1944 including D-Day and the Normandy Landings, and the collaboration and friendship of the British, Commonwealth and Allied armies who fought them.”
But it is not just the fallen from the two Worlds Wars that are remembered.
“From the end of World War II to February 2019, the Ministry of Defence records that 7,187 UK Armed Forces personnel have died as a result of a British, United Nations (UN) or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) operation, in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America,” adds Jane.
“Also remembered is the 100 year anniversary of GCHQ and the role of the secret services whose courage and work is so often unknown.
“Since being founded in 1921 the RBL has always acknowledged the human cost of conflict,” she says. “The particular responsibility is to the armed forces community, and the deaths and injury of personnel who have served with the British armed forces will always be at the heart of Remembrance.
“But now the language is more explicit, because Remembrance is inclusive of all modern Britain. With the generations of the Great War and World War II forming part of our vital history, Remembrance now has a wider meaning and role, and this includes all civilians affected by conflict and terrorism.
“Previously the poppy related ‘to the armed forces community specifically, but not exclusively’ as a symbol of remembrance and ‘hope for a peaceful future’.
“The RBL now says the poppy is a symbol that ▪ Remembers the sacrifice of the armed forces from Britain and the Commonwealth ▪ Pays tribute to the special contribution of families and the emergency services ▪ Acknowledges innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and ‘acts of terrorism’
“Lest We Forget”
