Lowestoft Remembers as thousands unite for unique services

With the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade taking centre stage at Lowestoft war memorial on Royal Plain, a town council said thousands fell silent as poignant tributes were paid.

Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The Remembrance Parade on Sunday, November 10 - led by soldiers of F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - set off from Claremont Pier shortly before 11am before entering Royal Plain.

After the Mayor of Lowestoft, Nasima Begum, welcomed those in attendance, prayers were read by the Rev Canon Simon Stokes.

Rev Canon Simon Stokes and guide dog Mayne at the Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

As the parade was brought to attention, Ian Gladsen, Royal British Legion Lowestoft Branch Secretary, led the Exhortation.

The two-minute silence at 11am was then marked by the sound of gun fire from the 105mm (L118) Light Gun from F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery, 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, before the bugler sounded The Last Post.

Gun fire at the Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Gun fire marked the end of the silence, before the bugler sounded the Reveille.

Mr Gladsen the led the Kohima Epitaph, before a prayer from the Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, Deborah Cadman OBE, and an address from Rev Canon Stokes.

Wreaths being laid at the Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Further prayers followed before the Deputy Lieutenant led the wreath laying at the war memorial, with representatives of the Lowestoft and Pakefield Army Cadets calling out the order.

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) After a hymn, Amanda Wisher, Mission Area Officer for The Fishermen’s Mission, led The Act of Commitment and The Prayer of Commitment, before the National Anthem echoed out, with music provided by English Brass Quintet.

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The service ended with Rev Canon Stokes giving the Final Blessing.

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Speaking afterwards, the Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Nasima Begum, said: "It was an honour to be a part of this poignant occasion.

"Thank you to everyone who attended and took part, especially to the standard bearers and everyone involved in the parade - it is a privilege to see thousands gather together to pay our respects."

Lowestoft Town Council also organised two services to mark Armistice Day on Monday, November 11 at the War Memorial on Royal Plain and at Lowestoft Cemetery, which included short readings given by local schools.

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) A town council spokesman said: "These poignant services offer us a unique opportunity to gather as a community and pay tribute to the nation's brave servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for our freedom."

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The Lowestoft Remembrance service and parade 2024 on Royal Plain. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)