'Beautiful' Armistice Day Portsmouth service honours the fallen leaving Veterans and public in tears

Sombre tributes were made on Armistice Day to honour military personnel who died in wars.

Veterans were joined by senior military and civic figures at Portsmouth War Memorial in Guildhall Square this morning. Silence fell over the commemoration grounds at the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month.

Several former service personnel - many visibly emotoinal - planted crosses with poppies to remember fallen comrades. Retired Army Staff Sargeant Mandy Vaughan, who served in the British Army for more than 26 years as part of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, was among them.

The 61-year-old, of Baffins, was honouring two close friends. These included Sharron Elliott, one of the first female technicians in the British Army, who was killed while serving in Iraq. The other was veteran Noel Anderson, who died after a heroic battle against cancer. Ms Vaughan tried to hold back the tears while saluting the mural.

Trying to contain her emotions, she told The News: “It makes me proud and I’m really emotional, as you can hear from my voice. I remember my friends and colleagues, and all those who have served before me and are currently doing so.

“In the armed forces, we’re just one big family. When one member of that family gets hurt, it’s really hard. This service always hits home, and you always get a good turnout in Portsmouth.

“I think it’s beautiful that the city remembers the fallen, not just people who have fallen on battlefields, in ships or in the air. We need to remember people who came home and were physically and mentally different.”

The Portsmouth Military Wives Choir performed various songs ahead of the service. The Venerable Canon Bob White gave the introduction, and said visitors should remember the courage, devotion of duty and self sacrifice of those who died serving our country.

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The Last Post was performed and the two-minute silence was immaculately observed, followed by Reveille. After the blessings, tributes and speeches, the choir sang the National Anthem. Political and civic figures joined veterans and serving personnel in placing crosses at the memorial.

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Abdul Kadir, said Remembrance services can unify the city. “It’s very sombre and you can sense the love and respect in this service,” he added. “I’m really honoured to be a part of it.

“We must remember those people who sacrificed their lives for us to be free. I hope we learn from their sacrifice and the lessons of conflict. It matters so much to Portsmouth. This is part of the city and who we are.”

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan, Labour, said it was a very special service. He added: “It’s so good to see so many paying their respects on such an important day. It’s always a very emotional experience.

“My grandfather was a D-Day veteran that served and landed on the Normandy beaches on his 17th birthday. It’s great to see our city coming together to honour the sacrifices and bravery of those who came before them.”

Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, Labour, said the city holds Remembrance services brilliantly every year. “This is one of the most privileged things you get to do as an MP,” she added.

“My son serves, and you think of so many of the military families and who have been in conflicts. You also think of the families that support them. Without those people, we wouldn’t have our service personnel.

“It’s always a very emotional experience and an absolute privilege to be a part of. This is a chance to say thank you to those who are serving now, or have in the past.”