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Manchester Remembrance Sunday 2021: Parade route and ceremony timings

Manchester will fall silent this Sunday as it remembers the many British and Commonwealth military and civilians lost to war since 1914.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 8th November 2021

The city will fall silent once again this Sunday 14, November as locals gather to remember the fallen during the annual Manchester Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

Last year, the Covid pandemic ruled out the possibility of many large commemorative gatherings – but this year it has been confirmed that Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday events will go ahead for 2021.

Bringing together service people from all walks of life, the event will see civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations join with faith leaders and uniformed organisations to pay their respects at the city’s Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square. 

Starting from 10.25 am, the commemoration will begin with The Remembrance Day procession – which will kick off on John Dalton street before marching over to the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square.

Then at 11 am, there will be a two-minute silence – marked by the firing of a 105mm gun at its beginning and end, as is tradition on Remembrance Sunday.

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Image: David Dixon via Geograph

Wreaths will then be laid on the Cenotaph by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, as well as representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Further wreaths will be laid by Reserve Forces, represented by the 103rd (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery, as well as by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers), Royal British Legion, Manchester Consular Association, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Young Faith Representatives

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Following the wreath-laying, the Parade will then proceed to Central Library for the March Past – with its end heralded by the playing of The National Anthem.  

After the Parade has left the Cenotaph, barriers will then be removed giving members of the public an opportunity to place their own tributes around the memorial.  

Image: Carcharoth via Commons Wikimedia

Speaking on the upcoming commemorative event, the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Tommy Judge said:

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“At the service we will pay tribute to those who have died protecting our country and reflect on past and present conflicts. 

“After cancelling last year’s ceremony due to Covid restrictions, it’s important that the people of Manchester come together to show our combined appreciation for the armed forces.  

“It will be an honour to mark this solemn day with the people of Manchester.” 

Organisers are encouraging veterans who wish to take part to email Manchester City Council at [email protected].

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed via this link on the day of the service.

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Featured Image – David Dixon via Geograph