On Remembrance Sunday each year St Giles are involved with the service at the War Memorial, and then host the Civic Service of Remembrance in church.

In consultation with The Royal British Legion, this permanent page on our site will now give the details that you need for what is happening, along with any downloads that you may find helpful during the Act of Remembrance outside.

The Remembrance Day Parade and Service will start at Pontefract Town Hall from where it will march to the War Memorial for a wreath-laying ceremony.  This will be followed by a march back through town following the route Marketplace, Woolmarket and Salter Row.  Finally, there will be a Service of Remembrance in St. Giles’ Church. 

Full details of the parade are as follows:

The organisations/groups taking part should assemble at Pontefract Town Hall, Bridge Street ready to form up at 10.30 a.m..   The parade will form up in three echelons in Market Place at 10.30 a.m.  The first echelon comprising the band and the Standards, will assemble in front of the Town Hall in Market Place.  The second echelon comprising the military and veterans (to the rear), will assemble directly behind the Standards.  The third echelon comprising civic dignitaries, civilian organisations, youth organisations etc will assemble behind the veterans.  Display boards in Marketplace will indicate the muster points.

At 10.45 a.m., the parade will march off on the orders of the Parade Marshal in the following order:-

1st ECHELON – BAND AND STANDARDS

2nd ECHELON – ARMED FORCES – VETERANS

Regulars and Reserves Army Cadet Force Air Training Corps, The Royal British Legion and Veterans (Behind cadets)

3rd ECHELON – COMMUNITY

Deputy Lieutenant, MP, Police, Fire Service, Councillors, Magistrates, Senior School Delegates Scouts, Guides, Cubs, St John Ambulance + other uniformed youth organisations RAOB, Political Associations, Pontefract Civic Society and Others

The parade will proceed to the War Memorial via Marketplace, Beastfair and Cornmarket.

On arrival at the War Memorial, the parade will take up position on the orders of the Parade Marshall.  At precisely 11.00 a member of The Royal British Legion will quote the exhortation and the bugler will sound The Last Post.  All Standards on Parade will be dipped followed by two-minute silence. The Bugler will then sound Reveille.

The Vicar of Pontefract will offer a prayer.

The wreath-laying ceremony will follow immediately.  Please wait for directions from the Parade Marshall.  Priority for wreath-laying will be as follows:  

• Deputy Lieutenant
• Royal British Legion
• Member of Parliament / Councillors
• Military Personnel including cadets
• Other uniformed organisations
• All other organisations and individuals.
• The last wreath will be laid by Father Ian, The Vicar of Pontefract

The band will play ‘Abide with me’ (five verses) during the wreath laying ceremony. (Click here to download the words)

A veteran will recite The Kohima Epitaph

When you go home

Tell them of us and say

For your tomorrow

We gave our today

The Vicar of Pontefract prays a blessing on all present.

The National Anthem (First Verse only) will be sung.

The Deputy Lieutenant will fall out and make their way to the saluting base in Market Place

The Parade Marshall will then give the order for the Parade to march off, following the route along Marketplace, Woolmarket and Salter Row.

The Deputy Lieutenant will take the salute at the saluting base in Marketplace.  The Parade Marshal and squad commanders will order ‘Eyes Right,’ at the saluting base.

The Parade Marshall will halt the parade near the museum, which is behind St Giles Parish Church.   After dismissing the standard bearers who will then take up post at the church entrance, the Parade Marshall will direct participants into church.  Inside the church ushers will direct the congregation to their seats. 

Service sheets will be provided as you enter church and there will be a second act of remembrance within the service.

After the Service, the parade will be dismissed.

Please Note: On Years when Armistice Day (11th November) does not coincide with Remembrance Sunday, there will be an additional simple Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Armistice Day – Members of The Royal British Legion and Clergy gather in preparation at 10.45 a.m., everyone is most welcome to join us.