Devon & Somerset Fire Service to attend Armistice Day parade

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will once again be crossing the Channel this weekend to lead the memorial services that commemorate the Annual Armistice Day Parades at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

This is the 28th year that the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Ceremonial Pipes & Drums have taken part in this most important international event which not only commemorates the lives lost in the conflict of 1914–1918 but also in present day conflicts across the world that our armed forces are engaged in. Many of those taking part have family members from previous generations who fell on the Western Front, whilst others have family and friends engaged in current conflicts.

The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row.” 

The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in World War One and later conflicts. It was adopted by The Royal British Legion as the symbol for their Poppy Appeal in aid of those serving in the British Armed Forces, after its formation in 1921.

This year the party, led by Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell and Fire Authority Chairman Cllr Mark Healey, will take part in a number of wreath laying ceremonies to remember the fallen.

Drum Major Dave Morley from Exmouth Fire Station will be leading the pipes and drums supported by our colleagues from the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Band and groups of firefighters from fire and rescue services throughout the country, who join us to parade their colours and mark the significance of this date in our history.