His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants of Devon, who represent The King in the County on behalf of HM Lord Lieutenant of Devon, attended numerous Remembrance and Armistice Services across Devon, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives defending us in conflict.
On Friday 8th November, Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL attended The Federation of Plymouth & District Ex Services Association’s Remembrance Festival, held at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall. The event commemorated all British and Allied Forces, Civilian Men, Women and Children. Also in attendance was the High Sheriff of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL, The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tina Tuohy, as well as Members of the Armed Forces, Plymouth Councillors, and Members of the Public.
On Saturday 9th November, Philip Bostock OBE DL attended the Sky Bet League 1 Match between Exeter City and Charlton Athletic at St James Park. There, he lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon and announced the Exhortation. The Lord Mayor for Exeter, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, also lay a wreath beside HM Deputy Lieutenant. The match score was Exeter City 1 Charlton Athletic 0. (PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
On Sunday 10th November, The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Rear Admiral Chris Snow CBE DL, attended the County Remembrance Service at Exeter Cathedral. The service, which in previous years has been held in the morning, was moved to a 4.00pm service, to allow those who wished to attend their local poppy events and tributes to the fallen at 11.00am, and then come together for a County-wide service in the afternoon.
Led by the Dean of Exeter, The Very Reverend Jonathan Greener, the sermon was delivered by the Right Reverend Mike Harrison, Bishop of Exeter. The Salamanca Band and Bugles of the Rifles added to the solemnity and grace of the service, with readings from The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Poppy wreaths were laid on the altar from organisations, both military and civilian. Also in attendance was The High Sheriff of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL, and Group Captain (Ret’d) Gordon Evans DL. (TEXT: David Fitzgerald)
On Sunday 10th November, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Ridgway KBE CB KStJ DL attended the Remembrance Service held at Exeter Northernhay Gardens. He was joined by Civic Dignitaries as they paraded through Exeter High-Street to the Gardens. In attendance was The High Sheriff of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL, The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, the Devon and Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, Alderman and Councillors. At the Gardens, HM Deputy Lieutenant lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon and read the Kohima Epitaph and Exhortation.
On Sunday 10th November, Mark Parkhouse DL attended Barnstaple’s Remembrance Commemoration, where he lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon. He also took the salute as a processional parade passed, and joined the procession to the Barnstaple Parish Church, where a service was held. In attendance was also the Mayor of Barnstaple, Councillor Janet Coates.
On Sunday 10th November, Group Captain (Ret’d) Gordon Evans DL attended Torbay’s Remembrance Commemoration, where he joined Civic Dignitaries in a Parade to the War Memorial Princess Gardens. The service begun at 11am with the firing of Maroons, where a period of silence commenced to remember those who have died during and as a result of war and conflict. HM Deputy Lieutenant lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant and read The Act of Remembrance. In attendance was the Mayor of Torbay, Councillor Hannah Stevens.
On Sunday 10th November, Robin Barlow DL attended Brixham’s Remembrance Service, where he took the salute as a processional parade passed. HM Deputy Lieutenant also lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Members of the Brixham Legion, Local Council, Armed Service Personnel and Veterans all took part to commemorate those who have defended us in battle.
On Monday 11th November, Group Captain Gordon Evans DL attended Great Western Railway’s ‘Poppies to Paddington’ wreath laying at Teignmouth Station. There, HM Deputy Lieutenant gave a wreath on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Devon.
The “Poppy Trains” begun during Covid-19, when local Armistice Day ceremonies were not always possible. GWR worked together with the Veterans Charity to organise these trains that took wreaths from local communities to Paddington Station to be laid at the War Memorial in the station. This is the fifth year GWR have operated their “Poppy Trains”, this year specifically commemorating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in their 200th year honouring their contributions during wartime, as well as the 80th anniversary of D-Day.