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Wolverhampton remembers the fallen

They came in their hundreds.

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From the veterans who had seen war with their own eyes, to schoolchildren learning about conflict for the first time.

Young and old stood shoulder to shoulder in poignant ceremonies to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

And while the ceremonies were poignant, there was also joy amongst attendees as they witnessed some of the biggest turnouts in years.

Before the Remembrance Sunday parade made its way to St Peter's Square, veterans smiled and laughed as they ran into old friends, happy for the chance to catch up despite the sombre occasion.

Lyndon Purnell, chair of the central branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion, said the turnout at the square was 'brilliant, absolutely lovely'.

"It gets better every year really. The blue skies help but I think they would have come anyway."

He believed more and more young people were attending the services because recent conflicts such as Afghanistan had made them more aware.

"The wounded soldiers, the amputees and all that, everybody is aware of what the forces pay, of what it costs. This is their way of showing they understand and they appreciate it."

Mr Purnell, who served for 23 years and saw action in Northern Ireland, Bahrain, Yemen, and Aden, among others, shed a tear when speaking of the importance of the occasion.

"Obviously as a veteran it is very, very important that we remember the men who aren't with us anymore. The best way to show it is to be on parade with our medals and give them the respect and the honour they deserve."

Those words were echoed shortly after, as Mr Purnell read the poignant exhortation as the Remembrance ceremony began: 'We will remember them'.

With record crowds across the region, Wednesfield RBL treasurer John Maybury believes the First World War centenary has put the events at the forefront of people's minds.

The ceremony in the town had almost double the turnout of previous years, as 150 people marched in the parade from the Wednesfield Club to St Thomas's Church, with people lining Vicarage Road during the parade and another 200 people attending the ceremony.

Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East Emma Reynolds, her predecessor Ken Purchase, and Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Bateman all attended and paid their respects.

In Bilston, hundreds of people turned out for the parade and ceremony, which RBL Branch secretary Connie Murphy said had been wonderful.

About 600 people were there, including Lady Turner, Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, and several city councillors.

A service was also held at Jeffcock Road Cemetery for Dutch soldiers stationed at Wrottesley Park during the Second World War.

Organised each year by the Royal British Legion, the Dutch War Graves Service of Remembrance commemorates sacrifices made by soldiers from the Princess Irene Brigade, some of whom are buried at the cemetery.

Eileen Birch, who helps organise the service, said about 120 people attended on Saturday, slightly more than previous years.

She said Colonel Tony Herbrink, from the Dutch brigade, is 96-years-old and makes the trip each year for the ceremony.

The service is attended by war veterans, serving officers, and representatives from the Royal Netherlands Embassy.

Also on Saturday, a Remembrance Festival was held in Heath Town for the first time, organised by the Holy Trinity Community Outings Group.

Organiser Dave Hawtin said the evening went 'absolutely brilliantly', with 130 people at the Holy Trinity Church ceremony, which was held to mark the First World War Centenary.

The evening had been so successful he had been asked to organise it every year.

Each person who attended had been given a replica of the miniature bible given to troops when they left for war, as well as a poem and prayer card.

As well as a drumhead ceremony, the Reveille, and Last Post, images of poppies had been projected on a screen during the minutes' silence, and there had been a 'very moving' reading of the poem In Flanders Fields, and performances by the City of Wolverhampton Brass Band and the Wulfruna Ladies Choir.

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