WW1 Centenary Commemoration Service

Eva Annand; neice of Robert Nicholson

The damp weather and occasional rain on the morning of Saturday 2nd August did not deter the crowds from turning out to honour the memory of the men from Amble who gave their lives in WW1. Approximately 200 people attended the service held at Amble’s West Cemetery which was conducted by Coquet Churches together. After the two minutes silence, signalled by a bugler from the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, poppy posies were laid at the 9 Commonwealth graves which were distinguished by a poppy in a band of black ribbon. Two of these were laid by descendents of the men interred- Christopher Armstrong on the grave of Private Watson Cavers and Eva Annand on the grave of Private Robert Nicholson.

Regimental band leading to procession to the Memorial Gardens

From here, led by the Regimental Band, Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion, the Submariners, Cadets from Amble & Broomhill Army Cadet Force and Amble Girl Guides, everyone made their way to the Memorial Gardens in the Town Square. Along the way, many more joined the procession down the streets thronged with people watching and saluting the veterans. At the Town Square, they were joined by many more people of all ages who heard the band play before and after the short service held here. Standard bearers were positioned at both memorials as tributes were laid by Colonel Glenton- the Deputy Lord Lieutenant- representing the Queen and the Chair and Vice Chair of Amble Town Council on behalf of the town itself. This was followed by the placing of 179 small wooden crosses in a grassed Remembrance Garden specially laid for this purpose. It was quite an emotional sight and there were many with tears in their eyes as they respectfully waited whilst the cross they had carried was put into the ground by the Army Cadets. All who carried a cross were then given a specially commissioned commemorative china mug to mark the occasion. After the National Anthem, the band stepped to one side and the Cadets formed two lines as a guard of honour for the other organisations and individuals who wished to lay a tribute on the memorial. Those in the Square were then treated to free refreshments provided by Amble Co-operative Funeral care and Spurreli Boutique Icecream whilst invited guests went on to the Parish Hall to view the exhibition of information from the ‘In Memory of the Fallen’ project and WW1 memorabilia some of which can now be seen on display in St Cuthbert’s Church itself during the rest of the month.