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, 12th November 2023.
Detachments from the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, 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 Choir will 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 the 104 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 Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, and The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford MS, will join other participants in laying wreaths at the Welsh National War Memorial.
“In coming together as a capital city and as a nation for our annual service of remembrance, we honour the memories of those who gave their lives in service to their country and to stand in solidarity with all those affected by the relentless realities of war and conflict to this day. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are powerful and tragic reminders of the human cost of war. May our gathering in remembrance serve as a solemn reminder of that enduring cost of conflict and mark the unyielding search for peace for all,” Cllr Huw Thomas said.
The First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, said: “The Welsh National Service of Remembrance provides us with an opportunity to honour the selfless contribution made by all those who have lost their lives in conflicts past and present. This year’s service is as relevant and poignant as ever, as the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza, the continuing war in Ukraine, and other conflicts continue.
“We will also come together to honour the Welsh servicemen and women undertaking peace-keeping duties around the world. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them, along with our veterans, their families and friends.”
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 participants and guests will gather in front of City Hall to witness the March Past and Salute taken by HM Lord-Lieutenant, alongside The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Bablin Molik.
In late October, The Lord Mayor of Cardiff led the city’s tributes to those in the Armed Forces who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, at the opening of the Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
Reflecting on the opening, Cllr Molik said: “Leading the city’s tributes to the men and women of our Armed Forces who lost their lives in conflict – and continue to risk their lives to keep us safe – is one of the most important duties I perform during my year in office. The Field of Remembrance is, of course, poignant in any year but the current events in Ukraine and in the Middle East throw into sharp relief the debt we all owe to our servicemen and women. I was proud and honoured to have paid my respects on behalf of the people of Cardiff.”
The Field of Remembrance has become an annual tradition in the city. and will close on November 15. Opening times are 9am to 5pm and entry is free to members of the public.
