Bury St Edmunds remembered the fallen as a poignant Remembrance Sunday parade and service were held, along with events across the region.

Last year the traditional parade could not be held due to Covid, meaning tributes had to be scaled down. But this year the procession and service at the town's war memorial on Angel Hill returned.

Nigel Wolstenholme, vice-chairman of Bury St Edmunds Royal British Legion, said: "It was a really excellent service. It was very moving and emotional, and was well-supported by the townspeople of Bury."

The service was attended by many veterans, cadet forces and members of the public. Dignitaries taking part included Peter Thompson, the mayor of Bury St Edmunds, the town's MP Jo Churchill and Margaret Marks, chair of West Suffolk Council.

The open-air service and wreath-laying were followed by the civic service at St Mary's Church.


The service was attended by Group Captain Piers Holland, station commander at RAF Honington and other army members from RAF Honington, as well as senior officers and personnel from RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. Commander Darren Mason, the commanding officer from the nuclear submarine HMS Vengeance, also attended.

Apache helicopters from Wattisham Flying Station also flew overhead to support the ceremony. The flights, which are an important part of annual Remembrance activities, were suspended due to Covid in 2020.

Bernie Millard, chairman of Bury St Edmunds Royal British Legion, arranged the wreath laying. The service was conducted by the Rev Simon Harvey, and the sermon was preached by the Rev Andy Williams, both from the parish of St Mary and St Peter.

On Thursday, November 11, a moving service was held on Angel Hill to mark Armistice Day, with dignitaries, schoolchildren and members of the public gathering for the wreath-laying ceremony.

This year marks the centenary of the Royal British Legion (RBL) and its Poppy Appeal, which support serving and ex-members of the Armed Forces and their families.


Meanwhile, at the Remembrance Sunday service at Haughley, one of the youngest people paying tribute was 18-month-old Alexandra Palmer, who laid a poppy wreath.

Her father, Kieron Palmer, of Palmers Bakery, last year created silhouettes of soldiers to honour the lives lost in his village during the two World Wars.