Remembrance ceremony draws solemn crowds in City

Hundreds gathered in bright morning sunshine at National Heroes Square on Sunday for the annual Remembrance Day service, marking the 107th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second.

The event paid tribute to those who served in both global conflicts as well as Barbadians who have represented the nation in peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Following days of intermittent rain, the skies cleared on Sunday morning as scores of onlookers lined the perimeter of National Heroes Square as armed and unarmed units took part in the procession, which traversed the streets of the city.

The unarmed units — including the Barbados Prison Service, Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Boy Scouts Association, the Girl Guides Association of Barbados and the St John Ambulance Association — began the parade from Queen’s Park.

Simultaneously, the armed units, comprising the Guard of Honour of the Barbados Regiment, a detachment from the Barbados Coast Guard, the Barbados Police Service and the Barbados Cadet Corps, departed from the Central Police Station.

The parade was under the command of Captain Samuel Boyce, while the ceremonial Guard of Honour was led by Lieutenant Dexter Hope. The conducting warrant officer was Warrant Officer Class 1 Sheldene Walrond of the Coast Guard.

Members of the Barbados Legion proudly marched on to the parade ground under the command of Michael Greaves. The choir of St Michael’s Cathedral, under the direction of John Bryan, enhanced the service’s solemn atmosphere.

The first dignitary to arrive was the Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, followed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley. The arrival of President Dame Sandra Mason — in her final appearance in this role — was heralded by mounted troops.

A two‑minute silence followed as those gathered reflected on the supreme sacrifices of the men named on the brass tablets on the cenotaph, among them 39 who were killed in action in the Second World War. Approximately 831 Barbadians served in the 1914-1918 war while more than 2 000 served in the 1939-1945 war in the Allied Armies, plus hundreds of sailors and women in auxiliary roles.

The president was first to lay a wreath, as the head of state was followed by the heads of government, judiciary, police and defence forces, followed by members of the diplomatic and consular corps, who also paid their respects. The final wreaths were laid by the Reverend Martin Taylor for the Barbados Boy Scouts Association and Nadia Grant for the Girl Guides Association of Barbados.

The service concluded to the strains of Beautiful Barbados as the President and Prime Minister inspected the veterans of the Barbados Legion. Following their departure, the participating units executed the march‑past with military precision as they exited Heroes Square.

(STT)