'Tremendous turnout' for Walsall Remembrance Day ceremony

Young and old stood shoulder to shoulder in poignant ceremonies to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

Walsall's mayor paid tribute to the large numbers of people who attended the town's Remembrance Day ceremony and lined the parade route.

Crowds broke out into spontaneous applause as the civic procession made its way back to the council house to take the salute.

Councillor Pete Smith said: "It was a tremendous turn-out, the best for many years. At the cenotaph there was a sea of people as far as you could see.

"We expected bigger numbers given the 100th anniversary but this was special, particularly as there were many other services going on at the same time around the borough.

"It was certainly the most memorable event of my mayoral year so far."

The open air service was amplified so that the larger-than-usual crowds could all hear. A sign language interpreter also relayed the service to those hard of hearing.

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Right Reverend Clive Gregory, addressed the congregation at this year's important service, while the hymn-singing was led by members of St. Paul's Church.

A bugler from The Staffordshire Band sounded The Last Post before a rifle salute by members of the Mercian Regiment marked the beginning and the end of the two minutes' silence.

Following the Reveille , Councillor Smith led the laying of wreaths. He later took the salute outside the Council House accompanied by a mace bearer and standard bearers from the Royal British Legion.

The Walsall Sea Cadets provided a guard of honour for the dignitaries from the council, local police, fire and ambulance services, veterans' groups and other clubs and societies eager to pay their respects.

Similar services were held at Bloxwich, Pelsall, Willenhall, Aldridge, Walsall Wood, Darlaston, Moxley, Brownhills, Short Heath, Clayhanger, Portobello and Streetly.

At each ceremony across the borough, members of the public also laid wreaths and individual wooden crosses in tribute to family members who had given their lives in the service of their country.

Councillor Smith said: "This year's event was even more poignant because of the anniversary. By November 9, 1914, Allied fatalities had reached 26,559. The size of the turn-out reflected this."

The high attendance was reflected across the region. The open-air service at Cannock was watched by more than 1,000 people, three times more than usual.

And in Wednesbury, at least 2,000 attended the ceremony at the town's cenotaph. Royal British Legion chairman Leigh Jones said it was their biggest attendance in recent years.

"The area around the cenotaph itself was absolutely chocka block, you couldn't move. They all came back to the club after and had to stand outside as the club wasn't big enough." A service also took place at Wood Green Cemetery, where Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Derek Rowley was among those laying wreaths.

Some 5,000 people marked Remembrance Sunday at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. Organisers said the crowds were the biggest for the annual service since it opened in May 2001.