Residents invited to attend Gosport Armistice service
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT RESIDENTS have all been invited to attend the Borough’s annual Remembrance Sunday Ceremony that is due to take place on November 12 at the War Memorial Hospital; this civic event offering the opportunity to pay tributes and remember those brave military personnel who lost their lives during the British conflicts since the “First World War”.
The ceremony will follow a similar schedule to previous services with an armed guard from HMS Sultan set to gather at around 10:20am. Personnel will be joined on the roads opposite the hospital by representatives and local organisations from across Gosport; including the Royal British Legion, veterans groups, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, and Air Cadets.
They will form a parade that will step off at 10:30am promptly and move over towards the memorial outside the hospital where the ceremony will start at 10:58am. This service will be conducted by the Mayor’s Chaplain Rev Sean Blackman and includes the nationwide two minute silence beginning at 11am; the bugler further playing the Last Post and Reville.
Music has been organised and will be provided by Gosport Solent Brass; whilst Mayor Cllr Martin Pepper will be laying a wreath on behalf of the borough and its residents. Joining him is the King’s representative from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office Admiral Sir Phillip Jones GCB DL; whilst wreaths from civic, services, and association representatives will follow.
A selection of readings, poems, and prayers will then be read according to the published order of service which can be downloaded and viewed here. The service is due to conclude with the National Anthem before the match-past will take place in front of the hospital; where the salute will be taken by the Mayor and Admiral Jones in a symbolic finishing act.
Residents are asked to be aware of multiple road closures in the areas of the War Memorial Hospital and Bury Road to ensure public safety; whilst all transport links may face disruption for short periods during the morning. They are further being urged to arrive early wherever possible to allow for the service to run as smoothly as possible and reduce issues.
PICTURED BY PIXABAY: Poppies will be on show at the Gosport Remembrance Sunday Ceremony on November 12.
