VIDEO: DIGNITARIES and officials from far and wide gathered in Warrington to pay their respects to fallen soldiers at St. Elphins Church at the 65th. Regimental Day service and parade.
The tradition of the service dates back to 1938 when the 1914-1918 Memorial of the South Lancashire Regiment was dedicated in St Elphin’s Parish Church.
Since then, a service to commemorate this has been held on the first Sunday of October . This year saw 20 Mayors and 3 Lord Mayors, their deputies and consorts gather in the town with representation from as far afield as Carlisle. The retinue included the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr. Les Morgan, the Depty Mayor Cllr. Karen Mundy, Leader of the Council Cllr. Terry O’Neill and W.B.C. Chief Executive Stephen Broomhead. The Lord Mayors of Liverpool, Chester and Lancaster were also in attendance.
The Service of Remembrance and March Past is a joint Warrington Borough Council and The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment event. It is a major date in both the North West Civic and Regimental Calendars.
The aim of the Service of Remembrance and March Past is to bring together all elements of the Regiment surrounding Warrington to remember former members of the Regiment affirm their current links to the Regiment and enjoy each other’s’ company. It also confirms the Regiment’s historic and emotional links with Warrington.
After a poignant service in the Parish Church conducted by the Rector of Warrington, St. Elphin’s, The Reverend Paul D Wilson the officials assembled on Church Street to welcome the march past led by the 4th. Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regimental band, including former servicemen and the Penketh and Warrington ACF. After the ceremony the participants withdrew to the church for refreshments.
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Great tradition – long may it continue.