People gather in Reading to pay tribute on Remembrance Sunday

Alongside the crowds in Reading town centre were the Commanding Officer, the new Mayor of Reading, the new Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, and the Bishop of Reading who led the procession of council officials and MPs.

Following a service in Reading Minster, the procession moved through the town for the remembrance ceremony at the war memorial in Forbury Gardens.   

Despite the cold weather, droves of people came out to pay their respects to the fallen and to service men and women still fighting. 

A poignant two-minute silence at the Forbury Memorial proceeded with officials from different armed forces and community groups laying wreaths at the war memorial.

This included representatives from the British Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal British Legion, veterans and community organisations including the Scouts, Brownies and Cadets.

Speaking to the Chronicle following the service, the Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Try said: “It’s been a fantastic day. It’s always a very touching and poignant day and this is my first time as Lord Lieutenant doing remembrance and it was a privilege to be in Reading to do it.

“As a non-military man, to see so many different members of the community come together all for the same reason and that is to remember those who have given their lives in service.

“I thought it was particularly moving in church the combination of those who have given their lives and the prayer for peace. It was very touching.”

The Mayor of Reading, Tony Page, was the first to lay a wreath at the war memorial and pay his respects.

He said: "We are reflecting on the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and reconciliation and also reflecting on the waste and futility of war. One of the sad things about Remembrance Sunday is the fact that we obviously remember those who have lost their lives.

"As the Bishop of Reading reminded us in her sermon, it is so important to work to promote peace to avoid the needless loss and death. We are reminded today of the conflict in Ukraine in a very poignant fashion and our hearts go out to those who were involved in the sad conflict and also in the Israel/Gaza strife.

"It's a somber day but one that has been well supported by a very wide cross-section of people from Reading."

Other Remembrance Services in and around Reading also took place today where people gathered in their droves to remember those who gave their lives in service.