Thousands come together for remembrance events at Staffordshire place of peace

The nation’s place of remembrance was the central point for commemorative events around Remembrance Day and Armistice Day.

The Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Alrewas were the setting for two services across the Remembrance period at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial.

On Remembrance Sunday on November 8, hundreds of people gathered for the annual service, with veterans, serving personnel, military families, and visitors from across the country coming together to honour those who have served and sacrificed in the Armed Forces and to remember all those whose lives have been affected by conflict.

Led by Rev. Clare Callanan, Chaplain to the Afghanistan Veterans Community and veteran, and Chaplain (Squadron Leader) Mandeep Kaur MBE, Sikh Chaplain to the British Armed Forces, the service reflected on Remembrance as a shared human experience that transcends faith, culture, and background.

In her address, Chaplain (Squadron Leader) Kaur reminded those gathered that Remembrance creates connections between communities and generations.

"As we gather, we come from different backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions. We may express our beliefs differently, and we may understand sacrifice through different experiences, but Remembrance gives us a common ground. It reminds us of what we share: our humanity, our vulnerability, our capacity to care, and our responsibility to one another."

Reverend Callanan reflected on the symbolism of the Last Post, the silence and Reveille, as rituals that continue to unite people in remembrance and hope.

Throughout the service, visitors were invited to reflect not only on the past but also on the enduring impact of service on individuals, families, and communities today.

The programme celebrated the many ways Remembrance can be expressed, whether through silence, storytelling, music, creativity, or acts of compassion.

Participants from Talent in the Ranks, the Gardens' Armed Forces community artist development programme, performed original songs inspired by their lived experiences, including The Last Time and Scars in Armour.

The service also featured a specially commissioned performance of Remember Them Here by Arji Manuelpillai, Poet-in-Residence at the National Remembrance Gardens.

Music throughout the event was provided by the Gardens' Associate Partners Black Voices and The Band and Bugles of The Rifles, whose performances accompanied moments of reflection and Remembrance.

On Armistice Day on November 11, a service on the Armed Forces Memorial was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester alongside hundreds of members of the Armed Forces community and members of the public.

At 11am, those gathered on the Armed Forces Memorial joined people across the country in observing the national two-minute silence, pausing to remember all those who have lost their lives in service and to reflect on the contributions of everyone who has served and continues to serve.

The service was led by Squadron Leader Mandeep Kaur MBE, RAF Sikh Chaplain to the British Armed Forces, and Reverend Clare Callanan, a retired Army Chaplain and Chaplain to the Afghanistan Veterans Community.

Alongside the traditional Act of Remembrance, the service featured contemporary perspectives on service and sacrifice, with performances from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Black Voices, the Gardens’ Poet in Residence and participants in RBL’s Talent in the Ranks artist development programme.

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion, said: “Remembrance is deeply personal and each of us has our own way of remembering. Armistice Day gives us a shared moment to come together as a nation to reflect and remember.

“At 11am we paused as one to give thanks to all who have served and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Armistice Day has expanded beyond its roots in the First World War.

“From the Second World War to Iraq and Afghanistan, every generation has its own stories of service and sacrifice that deserve to be remembered on this day.

“Those stories are not limited to those who wear a uniform.

“When someone serves, their family serves too and their contributions and sacrifices should also be remembered.

“This is why Remembrance matters all year round and our work at the National Remembrance Gardens ensures that stories of camaraderie, heroism, resilience, selfless bravery and care are preserved and passed on to future generations.”