Hull to gather at Cenotaph for Armistice Day

Veterans and their families across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire are coming together today to honour and remember those who lost their lives in service.

In Hull, the Royal British Legion is holding a special service at the cenotaph this morning, inviting the community to pause and reflect.

Graham Huckstep says it is a very informal event: “At 11 o’clock, there will be that silence to show respect. At the cenotaph, just near the interchange in St Stephen’s shopping centre, and people usually start congregating from around half past 10."

Graham says these services are crucial to help us remember not just those who fought, but everyone affected by war: “The biggest thing for me is not just for people to think, well, hang on a minute, we see on television that it’s soldiers and bombs e.t.c. Every type of person was affected—civilians, housewives, children, babies, granddads, grandmothers and in modern warfare, they have bombing raids and rockets and things that affect the home country as well as the battlefields. So, it really does affect everyone.

"The biggest thing about why do we still do it, I like to think, is to hang on to that notion of respect. Respect is so crucial in society, and to spend a few moments paying respects in silence.”

He says Hull always comes together for Armistice Day, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds: “One thing I’m very proud of is that Hull, that the Royal British Legion in Hull, is the fifth oldest branch in the world. When you consider that during the last century, during two world wars, it’s said there were more recruits, more veterans, from this area than anywhere else in our land apart from London, and equally, our own citizens.

"The people who lived in Hull, were those who suffered the most because of bombing raids and the blitz, more than any other town and city in England or Great Britain other than London itself. And that in itself brings a great sense of belonging and togetherness and understanding of the suffering that was widespread in this area.”

Across the region, services like these are taking place, connecting communities in remembrance and respect.

If you wish to contact The Royal British Legion Hull branch, you find can out more information on their website or email [email protected] or [email protected]