After last year’s scaled back ceremony in Swanage due to Covid restrictions, Remembrance Sunday was able to be marked this year with a parade, church service and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial.
The parade started at 2 pm on Sunday 14th November 2021 from The Mowlem.
Representatives from all the UK Armed Forces
Those who marched to St Mary’s Church included representatives from all the UK Armed Forces, as well as politicians, emergency services and members of Swanage community.
Dorset South member of parliament Richard Drax, Swanage Town Mayor Avril Harris and Swanage Town councillors all took part in the parade.
St Mary’s Church in Swanage
Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church
At 2.30 pm the Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church, led by reverend Solveig Sonet, went ahead as usual.
The Scouts and Air Cadets didn’t come into the church but joined the congregation after the service for the march from the church to the Swanage War Memorial.
Laying of wreaths at Swanage War Memorial
At the memorial the bugler played the last post and there was a two minute silence to remember servicemen, servicewomen and civilains who have died in war.
This was followed by the laying of wreaths against the backdrop of Swanage Bay and the sound of the sea.
Swanage Town Mayor Avril Harris and Dorset South member of parliament Richard Drax lay wreaths
Swanage Coastwatch attended the ceremony
Lots of people congregated at Swanage War Memorial
“We remember those who have gone before us”
Chair of Swanage Royal British Legion Steve Churchill said:
“It’s important that we remember those who have gone before us, who died to defend our freedom in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
“And it’s nice to see children coming along and joining in the parade and the ceremony at the war memorial. It means that in the future, those who died won’t be forgotten.
40th anniversary of the Falklands War in 2022
Steve added that he wouldn’t be in Swanage for next Remembrance Sunday:
“I’m pleased to be here this year, as next year I’m planning to be at the Cenotaph in London. I fought in the Falklands War and in 2022, it’s the 40th anniversary of that conflict, so I’ll be part of that.
“I was on HMS Antrim and part of the recapturing of South Georgia. While supporting the main landing at San Carlos, the ship was hit by a thousand pound bomb but fortunately it didn’t explode, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today.
“Though I can still remember the sound of the cry of a man beside me who’d been hit by shrapnel in his foot. And there was the sinking of HMS Ardent, which happened not far from us.
“Those events, nearly 40 years ago, make today even more poignant for me. It’s only right that in Swanage today, we remember all those who died.”
Watch the parade
Watch the ceremony at Swanage War Memorial
More photos on Remembrance Sunday in Swanage
