Sunderland prepares for one of largest Remembrance Parades outside London

Sunderland is preparing to remember The Fallen.

Service personnel and veterans will join the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson, as the city pays its respects at the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service.

Held at the War Memorial in Burdon Road on Sunday 8 November, and alongside veterans and community groups, its parade includes British Army personnel from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who both have the Freedom of the City.

The parade sets off north on Burdon Road to the War Memorial at 10.35am with supporting music provided by the Eleventh Hour Band.

Captain Joe Giles of 3 Rifles is to read the First World War poem For the Fallen before two field guns from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery are fired from the terrace in Mowbray Park to mark the start of the two-minute silence at 11am.

This will be followed by the annual wreath laying around the War Memorial and on the Memorial Wall.

The War Memorial dates back to 1922 with public subscriptions helping to fund it, the Memorial Wall was built with funds raised by the charity Brothers in Arms.

The wall is a tribute to those who have lost their lives in active service since the end of the Second World War and was dedicated in 2011.

The parade will conclude with a march past by veterans, emergency services personnel, community groups and serving members of His Majesty's Armed Forces. The Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Ms Lucy Winskell OBE, representing His Majesty The King, and the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson, will take the parade salute from the steps of the Museum and Winter Gardens.

Councillor Hutchinson said: "We are all incredibly proud of our strong connections with the Armed Forces in Sunderland.

"Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for the whole city to come together to pay tribute to all those who fought in conflicts past and present and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"This year’s key anniversaries include the battles of the Somme and Jutland in the First World War, 70 years since the Suez Crisis and 25 years since UK forces entered Afghanistan after the September attacks of 9/11.

"Every year it is inspiring to see people of all ages come together to remember those who gave so much in service to their country. As well as reflecting on the past, we should also take time to acknowledge the servicemen and women serving today and thank them for the contribution and sacrifices they make.

"I would urge anyone who can to attend a local Remembrance Service or Parade and join their community in paying tribute."

Sunderland Remembers

Anyone thinking of coming along to the service at the War Memorial in Burdon Road is advised to dress for the weather and be in place by 10.15am.

Parking is available within the city centre. Further details can be found at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/car-parks.

Two public viewing screens, one on Holmeside and the other on Burdon Road, provide good views of both the service and the parade.

Access to the disabled platform next to the War Memorial is available from 9.30am.

Burdon Road and Park Road will both be closed from 7am until approximately 2pm.

The service and parade will also be live-streamed on the Sunderland, UK Facebook page for those who prefer to watch it from home.

Remembrance Services are also due to be held in Castletown, Easington Lane, Fencehouses, Hetton, Houghton, Fatfield, Ryhope, Silksworth, South Hylton, Southwick and Washington Village, and people may prefer to attend a local service rather than the one in the city centre.

At the War Memorial on Wednesday 11 November there will be a two-minute silence to mark the Armistice at the end of the First World War.

The start of the silence for Armistice Day is signalled by maroons fired from Mowbray Park.

City landmarks including Northern Spire Bridge, Penshaw Monument, Fulwell Mill, Silksworth Pit Wheel and High Street West, will be lit red in the evening from Remembrance Sunday on 8 November the end of Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November.