More than 1,000 students and staff from Telford College took part in the annual remembrance parade and commemoration today, to honour the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms.
The Armistice Day service was held outside the college’s Haybridge campus in Wellington, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The parade was led by the college’s public uniformed services students, and also included representatives from the British Army reserves, Royal Navy, and Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Former Telford College staff member Bob Jenkins – a retired military police officer now living in the USA – filmed a video message for the ceremony at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Nashville.
It included a recital of the poignant poem which he originally wrote for the Armistice centenary, called Remember Me.
Bob said: “It seems a beautiful and appropriate place at which to recite the poem that I used to narrate when I had the privilege and pleasure of working at Telford College and being with you on this annual occasion.”
Several Telford College public uniformed services students read the traditional remembrance day exhortation, including Fraser German, Cameron King, Olivia Sylvester, Elizabeth Worthington, plus PC Pete Rigby.
There were also readings by Telford College A level student Misha Candlin, and Archie Walkerdine – a former college tutor who is now with Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service..
Mel Newbrook, the college’s learner manager for sport and public uniformed services, opened and closed the ceremony, and tutor Stuart Gregory played The Last Post and Reveille.
The college joined people across the county who marked the day when the allies signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany at Compiégne, France, at 11am on November 11, 1918, bringing World War I to a close.
A two-minute silence was observed across the college at 11am to show respect for those who lost their lives during the war – giving their tomorows for our todays.
- Watch Bob Jenkins’ video message and recital here
