Marking the end of World War One, a ceremony was held at the war memorial overlooking Swanage Bay in Dorset.
The well attended service took place on Tuesday 11th November 2025 with a two minute silence at 11 am to remember all those who died in the world war which ended in 1918, and in all conflicts since then.
People gathered around the war memorial on Swanage’s Recreation Ground
Rain stayed away
Fortunately, the rain stayed away unlike on Remembrance Sunday, two days earlier, when it poured down and everyone got soaked.
Possibly because of the deluge on the Sunday afternoon, and the more favourable weather on the Tuesday morning, the event was well attended by veterans, councillors, council staff and local residents.
The service, set against the backdrop of a grey sea, was led by the team rector Ian Bird, with a reading and prayers by curate Natalie Davies.
Left to right: Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield, chair of Swanage Royal British Legion Steve Westwood, curate Natalie Davies, and team rector Ian Bird
The lowering of the Royal British Legion flag
“We will remember them”
The Act of Remembrance included the famous extract from the poem For the Fallen written in 1914 by Laurence Binyon, which was read by chair of the Swanage Royal British Legion Steve Westwood:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
This was followed by the Last Post and a two minute silence at 11 am, with only the blustery sound of the sea breeze to be heard.
The Last Post could be heard along the seafront
Some of the poppy wreaths laid on Remembrance Sunday at the war memorial
The Kohima Epitaph
“When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
Everyone was welcome to attend the ceremony including man’s best friend!
Former chair of Swanage Royal British Legion and Falklands veteran Steve Churchill at the service with his wife Nicky
Watch the Armistice Day ceremony
Further information
- More about the Swanage Royal British Legion
