Exeter comes together to honour the fallen on Remembrance Sunday

Exeter falls silent this Sunday as the community gathers to honour the courage and sacrifice of service personnel who lost their lives in wars and conflicts across the world.

The city’s annual Remembrance Sunday service takes place at the War Memorial in Northernhay Gardens, with this year carrying extra significance as Exeter marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

To mark the occasion, the City War Memorial has once again been decorated with striking panels of poppies. Created to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War and first displayed at Exeter Cathedral in 2017, the panels continue to serve as a powerful tribute to those who served.

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This year also commemorates the 375th anniversary of the formation of the Coldstream Guards, one of the British Army’s oldest regiments.

Military contingents begin arriving at the War Memorial from 10 am, with the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Anne Jobson, and other civic dignitaries joining the ceremony shortly before 11 am.

At 10.59am, the Exhortation is led by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, followed by the Last Post performed by buglers from the Salamanca Band of the Rifles. The city then observes a two-minute silence at 11 am, before the Reveille sounds.

The service continues with the Kohima Epitaph, delivered by the Vice Lord Lieutenant, and the laying of wreaths by local dignitaries and military representatives.

Later in the afternoon, the County Remembrance Service takes place inside Exeter Cathedral at 4 pm, offering another opportunity for reflection and remembrance.

As the city gathers to pay tribute, the event stands as a poignant reminder of Exeter’s enduring respect and gratitude for those who gave their lives in service to others.