Poignant backdrop for Rotherham service for war dead

Clifton Park was the venue for the borough’s biggest service on Sunday morning, which once again drew a strong attendance of uniformed personnel, civic dignitaries and member of the public.

Crosses recording the names and regimental logos many of the lost stood alongside those decorated with poppies on the banking behind Rotherham’s war memorial and in front of the dozens of wreaths laid.

Following a parade from the park’s garden house, the Vicar of Rotherham, Rev Phil Batchford, led the service at the memorial, including the Act of Remembrance, two minutes’ silence and a wreath-laying.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Tajamal Khan, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire took the salute outside the garden house.

Community services were also held across the borough, including Aston, Bramley, Brinsworth, Maltby, Ravenfield, Thurcroft, Wales and Wickersley, while a large crowd including dozens of scooter riders gathered at Rawmarsh.

You can see our photo gallery from Clifton Park here.

Armistice Day was also marked on Friday with a wreath-laying at All Saints’ Square and a two-minute silence, with a parallel service taking place in Clifton Park.

Commemorations are continuing at the Centenary Market Hall until the end of the month with the huge poppy cascade and the wall of fallen heroes with photographs of some of Rotherham’s fallen, while a special remembrance display is on show at Clifton Park Museum until the end of the year.