Armistice & Remembrance Day events 2025: West Midlands communities come together to remember those who fought and fell in conflict

There will be parades, services and moments to reflect as cities and towns across the region mark Remembrance Sunday on Sunday, November 9 and Armistice Day on Tuesday, November 11.

It will see veterans, civic leaders, members of the Royal British Legion and the public gather in town squares, at cenotaphs and in front of council houses to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

Members of the public will be able to line the streets to see the parades go by and there will be opportunities to lay wreathes and pause for two minutes of silence, preceded by The Last Post and followed by The Reveille.

All council and civic leaders will be part of events across the region on both Sunday for Remembrance Day and Armistice Day on Saturday, including large scale events at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas and the RAF Museum in Cosford.

It will be an opportunity for people to come and pay their respects to those who fell in the service of their country.

Dudley Remembrance events

The council-led Remembrance Day service on Sunday, November 9 will take place at the cenotaph in Ednam Road.

Current and ex-service men and women, along with families of the fallen and community groups, will parade from Vicar Street at approximately 10.20am, and move along High Street, Stone Street, Priory Street, Priory Road and end in Ednam Road by the cenotaph.

Road closures will be in operation in Dudley town centre from 8am until 1pm on Priory Road between The Broadway to New Street, Ednam Road, New Street, Tower Street, Priory Street, Stone Street, St James’s Road from Trinity Road to Priory Street, Parsons Street, Market Place from New Street to Union Street, High Street from Union Street to Stafford Street, Wolverhampton Street from High Street to The Inhedge, Union Street and Vicar Street from King Street to High Street.

Veterans will join the Mayor of Dudley, council staff, councillors and members of the public at the First World War Clock Tower Memorial in Priory Street for the annual Armistice Day on November 11.

The service, which marks the end of the First World War, starts at 10.55am and includes the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence.

Priory Street will be closed on the morning of Armistice Day from 10.30am to 11.30am, with alternative routes clearly signposted.

Councillor Pete Lee, Mayor of Dudley, said: “Remembrance Sunday gives the people of Dudley the opportunity to honour all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and this borough.

“It is a time to reflect, give thanks, and pay tribute to everyone who serves or has served in the armed forces, and I encourage everyone in the community to join us in remembrance.

“As part of the commemorations, a beautiful cascade of poppies, which have been crafted by volunteers from the Dudley Remembers Group, will flow from the first floor of the Council House.”

Sandwell Remembrance events

Sandwell residents are invited to attend local services and parades on Sunday, November 9, as the community unites to mark Remembrance Sunday and pay tribute to both past and present heroes from the Armed Forces community.

There will be seven parades across Sandwell’s six boroughs with representation from the West Midlands Lieutenancy for each parade, with people recommended to arrive from 10.30am to watch the parades.

Parades will be followed by services, during which a two-minute silence will be observed at war memorials at 11am, and are events which have been organised by the Royal British Legion and local community groups, with support from Sandwell Council.

This year, there will be parades with services in the following locations:

• Great Barr: St Margaret’s Church

• Oldbury: Civic Square Oldbury

• Rowley: Powke Lane Cemetery

• Smethwick: Smethwick Council House

• Tipton: Victoria Park

• Wednesbury: Memorial Gardens

• West Bromwich: Dartmouth Park

Members of the public are advised that temporary road closures will be in effect for parades during these events.

A spokesman for Sandwell Council said: "Join us on Sunday, November 9, for our local Remembrance services and parades, as we unite to mark Remembrance Sunday and commemorate the service and sacrifice of everyone who has defended our freedoms and protected our way of life in the two world wars and later conflicts.  

"We will proudly honour those who have served in our armed forces, and their families, from Britain and around the Commonwealth. We will remember those who sadly never returned home."

Walsall Remembrance events

Across the borough, parades and services are taking place on Remembrance Sunday to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.

In Walsall, the Remembrance Day parade through the town centre and service at the Cenotaph in Bradford Place will take place on Sunday, November 9. 

Residents can come along and watch the parade and take part in the service, which is attended by military veterans and armed forces representatives.

The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, will lead the Remembrance Day tributes on behalf of Walsall Council, while Rev. Canon Rob Hall, vicar of St Paul’s and St Luke’s in Walsall, and Reader Anita Edwards, will conduct the Service of Remembrance and David Frost CBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, will join others in laying a wreath.

The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, said: "It is an honour to represent the borough at this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday service in Walsall town centre. 

"This is a time to reflect and honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

"I hope many of our residents will come along and pay their respects at one of the many services taking place across the borough.

"Also, I’d like to thank all those involved in repairing the centrepiece of the Barr Beacon War Memorial, which was damaged by vandals earlier this month. 

"The Barr Beacon Trust has purchased replacement topography discs, and I’m pleased to confirm that repairs will be finished in time for the Remembrance wreath laying ceremony due to take place on Friday,  November 7.“

The parade will begin at 10.25am in Hatherton Road and Hatherton Street and it will take a route past the Council House, and down Lichfield Street, Lower Bridge Street, The Bridge and Bradford Street, arriving at the Cenotaph in Bradford Place at 10.35am.

Music will be provided by the Staffordshire Band and the parade will feature representatives from 159 Theatre Support Company, Cheshire Regiment Association, Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association, Walsall Sea Cadets, Queen Mary’s Grammar School Combined Cadet Force and various uniformed youth organisations.

The service commences at 10.40am in the Cenotaph Garden and the service will be amplified, and a sign language interpreter will relay it for the hard of hearing.

The two-minute silence will be observed at 11am.

A bugler from the Staffordshire Band will sound ‘The Last Post’ and the ‘Reveille’.

Wreaths will then be laid at the Cenotaph.

At the conclusion of the service, the parade will return via the same route to the Council House, where the Mayor of Walsall will take the salute and mace bearers and standard bearers will flank the saluting base. The Mayor of Walsall will then place a wreath at the John Carless VC Memorial.

Further information is available on the Order of Service Programme, which will be available to view on the Council website shortly, along with information about any road closures.

Information about other services and parades taking place across the borough:

Friday, November 7

Barr Beacon War Memorial: Wreath laying ceremony of remembrance. 

This will be attended by Councillor Louise Harrison, the Mayor of Walsall, David Frost CBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, members of the Barr Beacon Trust Committee, Wendy Morton MP, veterans from the Mercian and Staffordshire Volunteer Regimental Associations and local schools. 

The Mayor of Walsall will arrive at 10.45am and there will be a minute’s silence at 11am. Barr Beacon Park, Walsall, WS9 0QR

Sunday, November 9

Aldridge War Memorial: Parade starting at 10.45am from Aldridge Community Centre to the Cenotaph. The Green, Aldridge, WS9 8NH.

Bloxwich Cenotaph : Parade starting at 10.45am along the High Street with the British Legion, scouts, brownies, cubs and military all in attendance. Followed by service and a minute’s silence at 11am. High Street, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3JT.

Brownshills Cenotaph: Parade starting around 10.30am from Brownhills Memorial to St James Church. Service and minute’s silence at 11am, followed by the laying of wreaths.

Darlaston War Memorial (Darlaston North): Parade starting from 10.15am from King Street. Service starts at 10.40am at the Cenotaph before the minute’s silence at 11am. Victoria Road, Darlaston, Wednesbury, WS10 8AB.

Moxley War Memorial (Darlaston South): Meeting at the Cenotaph at 10.30am for an unveiling ceremony commemorating four new plaques representing VE Day, VJ Day, and the Korea and Falklands conflicts. After the service, there will be refreshments at Moxley Peoples Centre - all welcome.

Pelsall Cenotaph: The service in Pelsall commences at 10.50am at Pelsall War Memorial. Prior to this, there is a short parade of uniformed organisations from Pelsall Village Centre to the war memorial along Pelsall High Street. This starts at 10.40am. Norton Road/Station Road, Pelsall, Walsall.

Rushall War Memorial: Meeting at Pelsall Lane/Lichfield Road junction before a service outside the Rushall Hub around the Memorial stone. The service starts at 10.45am with a minute’s silence at 11am followed by the laying of wreaths.

Short Heath Cenotaph: Parade starting at 10.30am followed by service and a minute’s silence at 11am. Parade starts from the British Legion Club on Church Road and then proceeds to the Short Heath Cenotaph on High Road. Willenhall, WV12 4JT.

Streetly War Memorial: Service starting at 10.30am and a minute’s silence at 11am at All Saints Church, Foley Road, East, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3EX. Streetly scouts will do a parade from All Saints Church after the service.

Willenhall Cenotaph: Parade starts at 10:30am with veterans and drum starting in Market Place, proceeds through Stafford Street to Field Street. Service and wreath laying followed by a minute's silence at 11am Field Street Cenotaph.  There will be a separate service and wreath laying at the Portobello cenotaph (junction of Somerford Place and The Keyway) at the same time as Field Street Cenotaph. 

Wolverhampton Remembrance events

Hundreds of veterans, serving military personnel, reserves, cadets and other organisations will march through Wolverhampton City Centre on Sunday, November 9, with the parade stepping off from Wulfruna Street at 10.30am and the public encouraged to line the route.

Led by the Pipe Band of West Midlands Fire Service, the parade will make its way into Princes Square, right in Lichfield Street, right into Exchange Street and into St Peter’s Square.

Once assembled in the square, the parade will be joined by civic dignitaries for an outdoor Service of Remembrance which is open to the public to watch.

A two minute silence will take place at 11am before the laying of wreaths at the city’s cenotaph.

This will be followed by a service of remembrance inside St Peter’s Church.

Wulfruna Street will be closed from 8.30am until 11am. The rest of the parade route will be closed to all traffic from 10.30am to allow the parade to march through safely and will reopen at approximately 10.50am. 

Other events will include the Dutch War Graves Service at Jeffcock Road Cemetery, which is in Saturday, November 8 from 9.30am and the Armistice Day Service at the St Peter’s Cenotaph Gardens on Tuesday, November 11 from 9.40am.

Birmingham Remembrance events

Birmingham will fall silent on Sunday, as the city remembers the fallen at its Remembrance Day Parade and Service. 

A service marking the Day of National Remembrance will take place on Colmore Row, opposite St Philip’s Cathedral, on November 9, attended by military veterans and representatives of the region’s armed forces.  

The parade will include ex-service personnel, regular, reserve and cadet units from the Armed Forces who, with representatives of other local uniformed organisations, will march on from Temple Row at 10.35am.

A short act of remembrance will also be held on Tuesday, November 11, at the Hall of Memory in Centenary Square from 10.00am, which will be attended by Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE. 

The timetable for Sunday's even is here:  

• 10.15am The Salvation Army Band commence to play on Colmore Row. The Birmingham City Council Choir perform.

• 10.30am Uniformed contingents march on.

• 10.40am Standards and associations march on.

• 10.40am The Civic Party will proceed from the Council House. Arriving at the dais, the Civic Party will take up position facing the Parade.

• 11.00am Two minute silence.

• 11.02am Bugler plays Reveille.

Staffordshire Remembrance events

Services of remembrance will take place in Stafford across both days.

On Sunday, November 9, the Remembrance Day Service and Parade will take place between 10.45am and 1pm at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, where an Open-Air Act of Remembrance will take place in Victoria Square, including the Last Post, Homage, Silence and Wreath Laying. Wreaths will also be laid at the County War Memorial, while a march past and parade will take place through the Town Centre.

On Tuesday, November 11, the Act of Remembrance will take place between 10.45am to 11.15am on Market Square.

Stafford Council will again be supporting the Two Minute Silence Campaign at the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month, by holding a short ceremony in the Market Square.

The Mayor will welcome those present, there will then be prayers by the Clergy from Collegiate Church of St Mary, followed by the Last Post and Homage.

The two minutes Silence will be observed and a trumpeter will play Last Post and Reveille.

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has announced its plans to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community throughout November.

As the Nation’s year-round place for Remembrance, the Arboretum will once again be a national focal point of Remembrance, welcoming visitors from across the UK to come together in commemoration.

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “Each November, the Arboretum plays a leading role in national Remembrance, uniting people from all walks of life as they gather to pause, reflect and remember. 

“Whether joining a service, exploring our exhibitions, or simply seeking a quiet moment alongside one of more than 420 memorials in the Arboretum’s grounds, visitors can connect with the stories of courage, sacrifice and service that continue to shape our Nation.”

Remembrance Sunday – Sunday, November 9

On Sunday, November 9, the National Memorial Arboretum hold a Service of Remembrance at the base of the iconic Armed Forces Memorial.

The service will begin at 10:30am, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am. Thousands are expected to gather to pay their respects.

Visitors travelling by car are strongly encouraged to book parking tickets in advance to guarantee entry to the Arboretum on Remembrance Sunday.

Armistice Day – Tuesday, November 11

On Tuesday, November 11, the Arboretum will lead the Nation in commemorating Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War, with a service on the Armed Forces Memorial. While all public tickets to watch the service on the memorial have now been allocated, a live video feed will be streamed to Heroes’ Square so all visitors can participate.

At 11am, a two-minute silence will be observed. In a symbolic moment, weather permitting, a shard of sunlight will fall directly onto the central bronze wreath; a tribute to those who gave their lives in service.

The service will also feature performances from a cappella group, Black Voices, and Talent in the Ranks, an artist development programme made up of Armed Forces community members.

Visitors travelling by car are strongly encouraged to book parking tickets in advance to guarantee entry to the Arboretum on Armistice Day.

Other major Remembrance events

On Sunday, November 9, the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands at RAF Cosford will host a Remembrance Day Service to honour members of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice during their tours of duty.

 Visitors are warmly invited to join the service, led by RAF Cosford’s Station Chaplain, Rev (Sqn Ldr) John Mbayo, and reflect on the sacrifices of service personnel past and present. 

This year, the ceremony will take place beneath the iconic Avro Vulcan in the National Cold War Exhibition, providing a powerful and moving backdrop to pause and remember.

The service will begin with a marching contingent from RAF Cosford, marking the start of the commemorations. Guests will then enjoy hymns performed by the Cosford Military Wives Choir, accompanied by readings, prayers, and the traditional sounding of ‘The Last Post,’ followed by a two-minute silence. 

Wreaths will be laid by representatives from the Museum, RAF Cosford, Cosford Military Wives Choir, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, in memory of those who have fallen in service to their country.

 Mike Groves, RAF Museum Midlands Public Events Manager, said: "Remembrance Day is a moment for us all to pause and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who served. 

"We are honoured to provide a space where visitors can come together beneath the iconic Vulcan to remember and pay tribute to those who gave everything in service to their country."