by John Prince and Sam Hawcroft
Communities across Holderness fell silent at 11am on Sunday, November 8, as people gathered to remember those who died in conflict.
In Withernsea, a large crowd gathered at the town’s new war memorial after a service at St Matthew’s Church led by Rev Clive Hall. The Last Post sounded before the two minutes’ silence.
Withernsea mayor Cllr Kristina Richardson laid a wreath alongside deputy lieutenant Caroline Heaton JP. Representatives of the Royal British Legion, the town council and local scouts were also among those who laid wreaths.
“The turnout from our community was truly incredible,” said Cllr Richardson. “It was a deeply moving and meaningful occasion, and a powerful reminder of the respect, gratitude and remembrance that unite us all.”
She thanked Darren and Marie England and their team, Rev Hall and everyone who helped organise the service.
In Hedon, the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force and the Royal British Legion led local groups in the parade ahead of the two minutes’ silence and a service at a packed St Augustine’s Church.
Rev Dr Sue Pulko’s sermon touched on conflicts around the world and focused on people struggling closer to home. She drew on Jesus’s sacrifice as an example of serving others and spoke about the town’s food bank and the people who donate to it.
Wreaths were laid at the war memorial in Ivy Lane cemetery. The parade then reassembled and made its way around the town centre, where Hedon mayor Cllr Suzie Wright, deputy lieutenant Nicholas Hildyard and other civic dignitaries took the salute.
In Hornsea, Sgt Ruby Seager (Ret’d) led the parade along Newbegin from St Nicholas Church to Memorial Gardens, accompanied by drummers from 298 Hornsea Squadron Air Cadets.
Rev Rosie Evans led prayers for those who had died in service. During the two minutes’ silence, the only sounds were the seagulls overhead and the voice of a small child.
One wreath bore a photograph of Pte Gregg Stone, the Atwick soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012, aged 20. His family’s tribute read “Love You Gregg – Forever in our hearts”.
