COVENTRY gathered in War Memorial Park today to mark Remembrance Sunday and honour those who served in all wars.
People lined the streets to watch the parade procession into the park, led by David Fellows, chairman of the Royal Naval Association and the Triumph Standard Band.
Upon the parades arrival, the Lord Bishop of Coventry, the right Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, gave an opening address to the crowd.
The Bishop paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II and her ‘sacrifice and service to the armed forces’.
He added: “Our king, Charles III, like his mother before him is committed to peace and reconciliation, and they would both be pleased to know we are accompanied by colleagues from Germany at this service.
“This country and other nations we once saw as enemies now stand together with the people of Ukraine.”
He also spoke of how the city could take inspiration from those who lived through the Coventry Blitz in the Second World War, and how their ‘commitment to the cause of a better and fairer world can motivate us to support each other every day’.
Former serviceman Ralph Wooldridge TD read the Exhortation, and at 11am the park fell silent as the Last Post was played to remember those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Following the Reveille, the crowd joined the Coventry Philharmonic Choir in singing the hymn St. Anne.
Holy Ghost Zone Parish church senior pastor Eniiwaju Etomi read the Revelation,21, 1-7, before Christ the King Deacon Rev Tony Janew led the service in prayers.
Wreathes were laid by community leaders including ones on behalf of Lord Mayor Coun Kevin Maton, other Coventry City Councillors, MPs, West Midlands Police, Coventry City football club and the citizens of Dresden.
Prayers of commemoration were read out as well as the Act of Commitment and the Kohima, and the service ended with the National Anthem.
And in a beautifully touching moment, the entire crowd burst into applause as the parade left the park.
