Axminster beats the lockdown to pay tribute to its war dead
By Philip Evans
5th Nov 2020 | Local News
Organisers of Axminster's Remembrance service were determined not to allow covid restrictions to curtail tributes to the 68 local men who lost their lives during two world wars.
The remembrance service and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial on The Minster Green was scheduled to take place of Sunday, November 8th but without the usual parade.
But after the government decided to lockdown the country again on Thursday, the Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion brought forward their arrangements by five days to ensure a fitting tribute to the men of Axminster who made the supreme sacrifice.
At yesterday's ceremony, the new branch chairman, Mervyn Symes, welcomed civic and community leaders and members of the public, led by the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Anna Young.
He explained that the service had been brought forward to ensure the town could make a fitting tribute to those who lad lost their lives in the two world wars.
The branch chaplain, the Reverend Geoffrey Walsh, led the standard bearers onto The Minster Green to start the proceedings, accompanied by Tony Croft who was dressed in the uniform of a World War One soldier, complete with rifle.
The standard bearers - Peter Silman, Valery Warner and Craig Justin Paul - and Mr Croft were sited on each corner of the War Memorial, which has recently been refurbished, and the standards were lowered during the Last Post.
Mr Symes read out the names of the 68 men of Axminster who sacrificed their lives. The Reverend Walsh delivered the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph and led prayers.
Cllr Young laid the first wreath at the war memorial, followed by 25 representatives of local organisations and groups. Cllr Paul Hayward, deputy leader, represented East Devon District Council, and Cllr Ian Hall laid a wreath on behalf of Devon County Council.
The MP for Honiton and Tiverton, Neil Parish, was unable to attend as he was voting in the Houses of Parliament on the new lockdown. He was represented by Chris Kimber, chairman of East Devon Conservatives.
A number of members of the public attended and observed social distancing rules and there were hand sanitising stations at various points. Contact details were taken from all those who attended.
At the end of the service, Mr Symes thanked all those who attended and hoped that, despite the hurried arrangements, they had done justice to those who lost their lives in the wars.
He announced that short services will be held at the war memorial on Remembrance Day (Sunday, November 8th) and Armistice Day (Wednesday, November 11th), starting at 10.45am.
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