SILENCE fell on Phoenix Lane in Tiverton last Wednesday (November 11) as townsfolk, veterans and civic dignitaries stood stock still to pay their respects to the war dead on Armistice Day.
Two minutes silence was held at the Burma Star Memorial Garden in Phoenix Lane to remember those who had given their lives in the two world wars and other more recent conflicts.
Wreathes were laid at the memorial by Cllr Frank Rosamond representing Mid Devon District Council, Mayor Cllr Paul Graham from Tiverton Town Council, Robin Temple from Tiverton Royal British Legion and by the Honourable Mrs Una Rowcliffe, the daughter of Field Marshal The Viscount Slim, on behalf of the Burma Star Association. As well as being president of the Tiverton branch of the Burma Star Association, the Honourable Mrs Rowcliffe is also president of the South West area Burma Star Association.
Ron Boobier from the Association said: I am pleased to see the observance is still kept and to see so many people turn out.
Prayers were said by the Rev Barry Dugmore from St Georges and St Pauls Church in Tiverton.
Following the service, a small group went on to Tiverton cemetery to remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom and have been buried in the cemetery
A list of Tivertons war dead was read out by town clerk John Vanderwolfe, and the Last Post and Reveille played.
Wreaths were then laid on the graves of two town Victoria Cross-holders: Private Thomas Sage VC and Brigadier Alfred Toye VC MC.
Private Sage won the VC for his actions in a shell hole in Belgium in 1917 when he threw himself on top of the grenade, saving his comrades but suffering severe wounds to his thigh. Private Sage survived and returned to a heros welcome in Tiverton, he died in 1945 and was buried in the cemetery.
Mayor of Tiverton Cllr Paul Graham said given the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the remembrance services seemed to have an added poignancy this year. He said taking part in the services was sure to be one of the most memorable aspects of his mayoral year.
From the cemetery, the delegation headed on to the Grand Western Canal to remember two RAF airmen who crashed their plane there nearly half a century ago, after steering away from built-up areas.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Roger Moore, and the navigator, Flying Officer Martin Archard, were on board the Canberra aircraft which developed an engine emergency during a night training flight on November 21, 1961. Cadets from 1079 Tiverton Squadron attended the service to remember the heroic sacrifice of the two airmen.
Wing Commander David Chivers from the squadron said: Coming here is about a sense of gratitude and appreciation of their sacrifice and the least we can do is come here once a year and say thank you.
In Crediton, traffic was halted in the High Street at 11am so a two minute silence could be observed at the war memorial.
A wreath was laid by leader of Mid Devon District Council Cllr Peter Hare-Scott, and chairman of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion Nigel Cooper, carried the Standard. Representatives from Crediton Town Council, Crediton Hamlets Parish Council and the Crediton RBL and local residents braved the torrential downpour to mark the occasion.
Cullompton mayor Cllr Mike Thompson, who served in both North Africa and Cyprus with the RAF signals between 1965 and 1970, said there was good support for Armistice Day in Cullompton, though he would have liked to have seen more people at the war memorial in the current circumstances.
Cllr Jane Campbell read a small piece on behalf of both Mid Devon District and Cullompton town councils.
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The Tiverton Carnival 2009by lewsnews20042,098 views
Very good Lewis. :) When you were asking that Man about his medals the woman in the background going ... "Ohh well, they'm too young to remember you see." Classic. Enjoyed watching it. x
misslisa69 2 years ago