OVER 2,000 people stood in silence at the town memorial as part of the Remembrance Service and parade, which this year marked the centenary of the armistice of the First World War.
The huge number of people who turned out to pay their respects surprised the local branch of the Royal British Legion and the mayor described the attendance as ‘extremely moving’ and “nothing less than amazing and a truly fitting way to honour the memory of everyone who served their country and gave their lives in conflict.”
Jane Norris, chair of the Royal British Legion Frome branch said, “The ceremony was beyond what I could have expected. I have been organising the Remembrance service for 10 years and I put my body and soul into this one, it was remarkable. We wanted it to be special and I’m very honoured to be part of the Frome community and it was great to see a whole range of ages attending.
“A special thanks must go to Ron Stone, aged 99, who before this had not attended a Remembrance service, but came and read the Kohima Epitaph, I’m very grateful. Also the representatives from the twin towns, the memorial singers and Grace Rawlins. Thank you to all who came.”
Mayor of Frome, cllr Richard Ackroyd said, “I have attended Remembrance services on many previous occasions but this was the first time I have ever ‘officially’ laid a wreath on Remembrance Day. I thought the whole event was nothing less than amazing and a truly fitting way to honour the memory of everyone who served their country and gave their lives in conflict.
“To see so many hundreds of people turning out to pay tribute was extremely moving and thought provoking.
“Once again, Frome residents and organisations made a tremendous effort. Special thanks should go to Jane Norris and The Royal British Legion for some outstanding work that enabled all of us to show our respect in such a fine way.”
Past and present service men and women joined representatives from local organisations to lay wreaths at Frome’s war memorial. There was also representatives for the first time from Frome’s three twin towns Château-Gontier, Murrhardt and Rabka-Zdroj.
The service, was led by Rev. Graham Owen and Rev. Colin Alsbury. Frome Musical Theatre Company performed music for reflection, choosing ‘Wishing you were somehow here again’ from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.
Frome College student, Grace Rawlins, also paid respects to her great-great uncle, Frederick James Rawlins, who she only discovered last year, writing and reading a poem titled ‘Missing in Action.’
Click on the picture below to see the Remembrance picture special on our digital edition:
