Wales’ national observance of Remembrance Sunday, which is jointly hosted by Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government and in partnership with The Royal British Legion, will take place in Cardiff on Sunday, 13thNovember 2022.
Detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets and Cadet Forces will march past City Hall and along King Edward VII Avenue to the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff where they will arrive by 10:40am and form up around the memorial.
Those detachments will be joined by columns of ex-Servicemen and women, organised by the Royal British Legion and columns of civilians representing organisations connected with current and past conflicts.
A selection of music will be played by the Canton Salvation Army Band from 10:30am until shortly before 11am, when the service will begin with bidding and words of scripture given by Cardiff Council Honorary Chaplain, Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk. The Cardiff Military Wives Choir and the Cardiff Arms Park Male Voice Choirwill lead the singing during the service.
At 10:59am a bugler from The Royal Welsh Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh will sound the ‘Last Post’ followed at 11am by a gun of the104 Regiment Royal Artillery,Newport who will be firing to mark the start of the two minutes’ silence which will be observed. Its conclusion will again be marked by the firing of the gun and the playing of ‘Reveille’ by the Bugler.
The order of ceremony, that will be followed on the day, is available for download here. In all, 22 wreath layers will take part in Wales’ national observance of Remembrance Sunday.
The Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “This annual event provides us with an opportunity to come together, as a capital city and a nation, to remember all those who died serving their country and all those who have been affected by war and conflict. We gather for the annual service of remembrance this year with the memory of past conflicts still fresh in our minds and while the war in Ukraine is still costing lives and exacting a terrible toll.”
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Graham Hinchey, said:”Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women of our armed forces and our veterans, together with their families and friends at this time. This year’s event is especially poignant as it follows the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her long rein, The Queen was a committed champion of all our armed services, with experience of the challenges our Forces communities face. Now King Charles III takes on the role as head of the Armed Forces.”
The First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, said:”The service of remembrance continues to be as relevant as ever, as Welsh service men and women play their part in active service and peace-keeping duties around the world. In June, we marked the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. This was a key event in Welsh and UK history and we commemorated the important role Welsh service personnel played in that conflict. We honour the selfless contribution made by all those who have lost their lives in conflicts past and present. We will remember them.”
The Band of the Royal Welsh and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh will play the National Anthems of Wales and of Great Britain at the conclusion of the ceremony. Members of the public may wish to lay wreaths at the National Memorial after the service.
At the conclusion of the service all participants and guests will gather to witness the March Past and Salute taken by HM Lord-Lieutenant, alongside The Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Llywydd of Welsh Parliament.
