Remembrance Sunday 2016: Wales pays tribute to the war dead

Thousands of people gathered around Wales National War Memorial on Sunday morning, paying tribute to the war dead.

Wales’ national Remembrance Sunday event took place at Wales National War Memorial in Alexander Garden, Cardiff, on November 13th this year.

remembrance-sunday-6
Remembrance Sunday Service on 13th November 2016

Thousands of citizens assembled around the Wales National War Memorial in the morning, paying respects to those who served in the Armed Forces and sacrificed their lives for the nation during the World War One.
remembrance-sunday-2
Remembrance Sunday Service was held at the Wales National War Memorials

The Remembrance Service began from 10.30 am after a parade being composed of detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets marching from King Edward VII Avenue to the Wales National War Memorial. remembrance-sunday-5  First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and the Leader of Cardiff Council, Phil Bale, participated the service and laid wreaths to the war dead at the memorial, along with the representatives coming from across the country.
15134453_372540733082438_1358872305_n
The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and the Leader of Cardiff Council, Phil Bale are on the Remembrance Sunday Service (Photo by Peter Bolter)

The first minister said that this year’s remembrance event is ‘especially poignant’ since this year was the hundred-year anniversary of the battle of the Somme, which ended on 18th November, 1916.
Mr. Jones said, “It is important we take the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, paying the ultimate prices for our freedom.”
“Those who fought bravely for our futures must never be forgotten.”
remembrance-sunday-2
Wales National War Memorial

In addition, the Leader of the Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood said, “Remembrance Sunday is also an opportunity to pay tribute to all forces veterans and those who continue to risk their lives today.”
She added, “Today should not be used as a justification of war. Rather, let us unite in remembrance of all those wasted lives, and promise to work together for a more peaceful world.”
During the service, people stood in the two minutes’ silence tribute and chanted for the dead.
15139237_372540743082437_1204697716_n-1
(Photo by Peter Bolter)

rembrance-sunday-4
People chanted for the dead

They lined the streets giving warm welcome and respectful applause to the marching troop after the Remembrance Service. The whole Service ended around 12.00.
15128684_372540729749105_1209161594_n
(Photo by Peter Bolter)

Other towns and cities in Wales, such as Aberystwyth, Bangor, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport, also held the Remembrance Service on Sunday.