On Sunday morning, the town held its annual Remembrance Day parade and Service organized by the Royal British Legion and supported by Buckingham Town Council, attracting a significant crowd together to pay tribute
At 10:30am, the parade left from Market Hill making its way to the war memorial at ST Peter and St Paul’s Church for a solemn commemorative service.
A large screen was set up on the grounds of the church providing a live feed to ensure everyone in attendance could watch the service.
The Remembrance Day service honours the sacrifices made by soldiers from the First and Second World wars and subsequent conflicts since then. Councillor Robin Stuchbury spoke about the growing participation from the community, especially from younger generations.
He said, “I think I’ve been doing this as a counsellor for well over a quarter of a century, and I think that it be fair to say that it’s grown….but what’s so touching with it, is the young people turn out and do their remembrance, the schools, the cups, the brownies, the guides and all other types of organisations for the young carers and everybody else come and mark their respects, which shows that the next generation down are learning the significance of the sacrifice of others and they’re taking their active part in it and they will pass that knowledge on to their children so no one forgets”
After the service, the parade returned to Market Hill, where the event formally concluded. Plans for next year’s commemoration are already under discussion with the council, with a focus on ensuring it remains accessible and meaningful for all attendees.
“It’s being discussed with the age profiles of the British Legion and whatever we’ll see carefully, make sure that we keep everyone on board. The council has a responsibility to make sure these things happen; we’ll work with others to make sure it happens.
“The generations change, the age profiles change it, the important thing is to remember, and this won’t change. I can assure you that the town council will always be here to support it in whatever form.” He added.
Beyond the parade and service, others in Buckingham have their own unique ways of honouring the day, reflecting on the legacy left behind by family who served.
One local shared, “A few years in a row, I do paddle boarding, a lovely Remembrance Day paddle through Oxford. We stop at 11:00 am, and we can hear all the church bells ringing in Oxford, then do a 2-minute silence there.”
Another resident said, “I like to have a momemt to think about everything and what everyone meant at the time, so I go and pay my respects.”
As Remebrance day draws to an end, the people of Buckingham carry the memories and sacrifices of the past with them in their traditions to ensure that future generations never forget.
