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The National Service of Remembrance for Wales 2021
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, 14thNovember 2021.
Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff
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 Barry Male Voice Choirwill lead the hymn 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. To mark both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday this year, Cardiff Castle, City Hall and the Cardiff Bay Barrage will be bathed in red light on the nights of Thursday, 11thand Sunday 14thNovember.
In all, 22 wreath layers will take part in Wales' national observance of Remembrance Sunday. They include, Mrs Morfudd Meredith, HM Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen; The Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister of Wales; Councillor Rod McKerlich, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff; and Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council.
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Rod McKerlich, said: "We gather at the Welsh National War Memorial in Cardiff to honour and pay our respects to all those who gave their lives in conflict, making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The National Service of Remembrance continues to be of great importance for generation after generation, and it is a very welcome sign that we are once again all able to gather at the Welsh National War Memorial this year, having had to hold the ceremony behind closed doors last year, due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic."
The First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS, said:"The Remembrance period gives us all the opportunity to pay tribute to those who served our Armed Forces. As a Government we recognise the sacrifices of those who have been lost in conflict, or suffered injury to ensure we have the freedoms we enjoy today. On Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, we pause and reflect on all those who lost their lives and who have sacrificed so much in defence of our values and freedoms."
The Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "Remembrance Sunday is an important date in the calendar, offering us a moment to reflect on the service that countless women and men have given for their country over the decades. With COVID-19 still very much part of our lives, all those that have been affected by the virus, and all those on the frontline that have responded and continue to fight the pandemic are in our thoughts again this Remembrance Sunday."
Antony Metcalfe, Area Manager Wales, The Royal British Legion said: "Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. Since it was first worn as an act of Remembrance just over 100 years ago, the poppy has become an enduring symbol of support for our Armed Forces, past and present. Remembrance is part of the fabric of our society, reminding us of our shared history and uniting people across all backgrounds, communities and generations. Throughout history the British Armed Forces have defended freedom and democracy, in its 100th year, the Royal British Legion is inviting the nation to remember their service and sacrifice."
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.
Members of the public may also 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.
Additional measures will be in place at Alexandra Gardens this year, due to COVID-19. Members of the public that are displaying any of the three COVID-19 symptoms (fever, greater than 37.8°C; new persistent/continuous cough; loss or change in sense of taste or smell), are reminded not to attend the National Service of Remembrance for Wales, and to pay their respects privately at home.
