WARWICKSHIRE’s High Sheriff is planning to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in each of Warwickshire’s five districts and boroughs.
David Kelham will lay a wreath at 20 war memorials around the county to commemorate Armistice Day (November 11) and Remembrance Sunday (November 13).
Operation Wreath will see David – who does not the ability to be in more than one place at once – supported by both veterans and youth organisations to lay wreaths at Warwick, Kenilworth, Whitnash, Leamington, Wellesbourne, Southam, Rugby, Shipston, Bidford, Studley, Alcester, Stratford, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Bulkington, Kingsbury, Coleshill, Atherstone, Polesworth and Water Orton
In person, the High Sheriff will be laying wreaths at memorial services in Bedworth at 11.am on Armistice Day, and later that day, when it is 11am in Canada, a wreath in recognition of the service of commonwealth troops at the cross of sacrifice in Stratford cemetery where there are over 100 Canadian Graves. He will be at Coleshill on Remembrance Sunday.
David said: “One of the things I was very clear about when I took the role of High Sheriff is that I wanted to mark the season of remembrance across the county was to give thanks for sacrifices in the service of others and respect for those who still serve. This is one of the many things that brings together the county.
“I am delighted that I have been supported in this plan by recent veterans, working with the Veteran’s Contact Point, and by some of our wonderful uniformed youth organisations – the Police Cadets, the Scouts and the Guides.
“I hope his project will encourage people to get out and find out more about their local war memorials and the stories that they commemorate as well as reaching out to those who have recently served.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe said: “We are very fortunate to have had a succession of outstanding High Sheriffs in Warwickshire who have such a deep understanding and love of our county and the drive to want to make a positive impact during their time in the role.
“Operation Wreath’ is a great idea to involve more young people and recent veterans as part of the civic ceremonies at the War Memorials in Warwickshire’s large population centres.”
Visit veteranscontactpoint.org.uk/ to find out more about the organisation.
