Veterans shun Remembrance Sunday parade over 'snub' to war dead

They say the annual parade in Kidderminster is disrespectful because civic leaders face a statue outside St Mary's and All Saints Church during the Remembrance Day Sunday service and parade.

The former soldiers say this means that the officials are literally turning their backs on the town's war memorial, with legion president Larry Billingsley branding it 'disrespectful to the men and women who gave their lives for this country'.

Council chiefs today insisted the stance of facing the Angel of Peace meant they were looking to the future. But Mr Billingsley, aged 85, said it is 'disgusting' that civic leaders have chosen to face the Angel of Peace statue instead.

"We always lay our wreaths at the war memorial. After all, those who died didn't turn their backs," said Mr Billingsley, who served with the 6th Airborne Division in Palestine between 1946 and 1948.

"Eight years ago we had a meeting with the town clerk and county officials of the Royal British Legion and it was agreed that people should face the war memorial. They did this for two years but then changed."

Around 10 Royal British Legion members will take part in the Royal Naval Association parade at 11am on November 11, at the war memorial. But they plan to shun the Sunday civic parade through the town from New Road to St Mary's the day before.

Mr Billingsley admitted that age also played a role in the decision not to join the parade, with some members now 'too old to march through the town'. He added: "We usually support both events. But there is also this problem caused by councillors and civic leaders refusing to acknowledge the war memorial. They face the Angel of Peace during the service and expect others to do likewise and turn their backs on the war memorial."

The branch will again be laying wreaths and taking part in a short service at the Hoobrook Monument at 9am on November 10. Kidderminster town clerk Charles Talbot said: "I understand their emotional standpoint but from the point of protocol we are correct.

"After two years of facing the war memorial it was determined that this was the incorrect procedure. The Angel of Peace looks towards tomorrow. The names on the war memorial are the record of those who stand behind them in spirit and are supporting them facing peace."

The Mayor of Kidderminster councillor John Campion added: "The acts of remembrance leading up to and on Remembrance Sunday are just a small way Kidderminster can honour those that have laid down their lives to protect our freedom."