Gosport to remember town’s war dead
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL have encouraged its residents to attend the town’s annual Remembrance Sunday service next weekend (November 13), with the event set to take place at the War Memorial (near the hospital) to pay tribute to those who died in all British Armed Forces’ conflicts from across the local borough.
From 10:20am an armed guard, courtesy of HMS Sultan, are scheduled to form upon Ann’s Hill Road, where they will be met with representatives from the Royal British Legion. Groups of veterans, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and other local organisations will also join the armed guard in position within 10 minutes.
A parade consisting of Guard and non-military contingents will then march from Ann’s Hill Road to a position in front of Gosport War Memorial Hospital, where there will take post. At this point VIPs including Councillors will process from the nearby Thorngate Hall and feature in a short procession to the specified memorial area.
The ceremony, conducted by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Emma McPhail, will start at 10.58am with a stand to attention and the two minutes’ silence will begin at 11am. Once this is concluded a bugler from HMS Sultan’s Volunteer Band will sound a traditional Last Post and Reveille with music provided by Gosport Solent Brass.
Joined by the Queen’s representative from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Gosport Mayor Jamie Hutchison will lay a wreath on behalf of the borough. Civic, service and association will then lay their own wreaths at the memorial, whilst a range of prayers and poems will be read out to the congregation.
A rendition of the National Anthem, God save the King, will be played to mark the service’s according to the Order of Service (available to download here). From this moment a march past will take place in front of the doors of the War Memorial Hospital, where a second salute will then be taken by the Mayor and Adm Band.
Car parking is likely to be available at Thorngate Hall for a small cost, whilst road closures will certainly be in place on surrounding routes around the hospital to protect the public and all those in attendance. Readers are asked to check regularly on the Gosport Borough Council website and social media for future updates.
PICTURED BY AISLING STEEL: One of the fallen who will be remembered in Gosport this Sunday (13/11).
